diff --git a/test/misc/bug975.c b/test/misc/bug975.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..458524a5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/misc/bug975.c
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/* bug #975 - Forward array reference fails to compile */
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+// this works
+static const unsigned char array2[3];
+int test2(void) {
+    return array2[0];
+}
+static const unsigned char array2[] = { 0, 1, 2 };
+
+// this should work, but does not compile
+static const unsigned char array[];
+int main() {
+    if (test2() != 0) return EXIT_FAILURE;
+    return array[0];
+}
+static const unsigned char array[] = { 0, 1, 2 };