diff --git a/vlib/builtin/builtin_d_gcboehm.c.v b/vlib/builtin/builtin_d_gcboehm.c.v
index 234ecc9d09..0a13b642ee 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/builtin_d_gcboehm.c.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/builtin_d_gcboehm.c.v
@@ -32,12 +32,15 @@ $if dynamic_boehm ? {
 	$if macos || linux {
 		#flag -DGC_BUILTIN_ATOMIC=1
 		#flag -I @VEXEROOT/thirdparty/libgc/include
-		$if (!macos && prod && !tinyc && !debug) || !(amd64 || arm64 || i386 || arm32) {
+		$if (prod && !tinyc && !debug) || !(amd64 || arm64 || i386 || arm32) {
 			// TODO: replace the architecture check with a `!$exists("@VEXEROOT/thirdparty/tcc/lib/libgc.a")` comptime call
 			#flag @VEXEROOT/thirdparty/libgc/gc.o
 		} $else {
 			#flag @VEXEROOT/thirdparty/tcc/lib/libgc.a
 		}
+		$if macos {
+			#flag -DMPROTECT_VDB=1
+		}
 		#flag -ldl
 		#flag -lpthread
 	} $else $if freebsd {