diff --git a/config.def.h b/config.def.h
index 877afab..dd94be2 100644
--- a/config.def.h
+++ b/config.def.h
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ unsigned int cursorthickness = 2;
  * bell volume. It must be a value between -100 and 100. Use 0 for disabling
  * it
  */
-static int bellvolume = 0;
+int bellvolume = 0;
 
 /* default TERM value */
 char termname[] = "st-256color";
diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index f1f7bc1..df43fac 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -2176,10 +2176,7 @@ tcontrolcode(uchar ascii)
 			/* backwards compatibility to xterm */
 			strhandle();
 		} else {
-			if (!(win.state & WIN_FOCUSED))
-				xseturgency(1);
-			if (bellvolume)
-				xbell(bellvolume);
+			xbell();
 		}
 		break;
 	case '\033': /* ESC */
diff --git a/st.h b/st.h
index 9ece72f..ad94351 100644
--- a/st.h
+++ b/st.h
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ extern int allowaltscreen;
 extern unsigned int xfps;
 extern unsigned int actionfps;
 extern unsigned int cursorthickness;
+extern int bellvolume;
 extern unsigned int blinktimeout;
 extern char termname[];
 extern const char *colorname[];
diff --git a/win.h b/win.h
index ea45e60..dee0b7f 100644
--- a/win.h
+++ b/win.h
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 void draw(void);
 void drawregion(int, int, int, int);
 
-void xbell(int);
+void xbell(void);
 void xclipcopy(void);
 void xclippaste(void);
 void xhints(void);
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ void xloadcols(void);
 int xsetcolorname(int, const char *);
 void xsettitle(char *);
 void xsetpointermotion(int);
-void xseturgency(int);
 void xresize(int, int);
 void xselpaste(void);
 void xsetsel(char *, Time);
diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index 426ca28..5b3c97b 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ static void xloadfonts(char *, double);
 static void xunloadfont(Font *);
 static void xunloadfonts(void);
 static void xsetenv(void);
+static void xseturgency(int);
 
 static void expose(XEvent *);
 static void visibility(XEvent *);
@@ -1521,9 +1522,12 @@ xseturgency(int add)
 }
 
 void
-xbell(int vol)
+xbell(void)
 {
-	XkbBell(xw.dpy, xw.win, vol, (Atom)NULL);
+	if (!(win.state & WIN_FOCUSED))
+		xseturgency(1);
+	if (bellvolume)
+		XkbBell(xw.dpy, xw.win, bellvolume, (Atom)NULL);
 }
 
 void