diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/picture.el b/lisp/textmodes/picture.el
index 55b4a4df5cc..1c6fb384063 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/picture.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/picture.el
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ See also documentation for variable `picture-tab-chars'."
 
 ;; Picture Rectangles
 
-(defconst picture-killed-rectangle nil
+(defvar picture-killed-rectangle nil
   "Rectangle killed or copied by \\[picture-clear-rectangle] in Picture mode.
 The contents can be retrieved by \\[picture-yank-rectangle]")