diff --git a/sudo.h b/sudo.h
index 98e50ba9a..586be5a59 100644
--- a/sudo.h
+++ b/sudo.h
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ extern int top;
 #define MODE_VERSION             0x03
 #define MODE_HELP                0x04
 #define MODE_LIST                0x05
+#define MODE_BACKGROUND          0x06
 
 /*
  * Used with set_perms()