diff --git a/src/epanet.c b/src/epanet.c
index 6463c08..de468cf 100644
--- a/src/epanet.c
+++ b/src/epanet.c
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ execute function x and set the error code equal to its return value.
 
 // This single global variable is used only when the library is called
 // in "legacy mode" with the 2.1-style API. 
-EN_Project *_defaultModel;
+void *_defaultModel;
 
 
 // Local functions
@@ -167,9 +167,11 @@ int DLLEXPORT ENepanet(const char *f1, const char *f2, const char *f3, void (*pv
 
   ERRCODE(EN_createproject(&_defaultModel));
   ERRCODE(EN_open(_defaultModel, f1, f2, f3));
-  _defaultModel->viewprog = pviewprog;
 
-  if (_defaultModel->out_files.Hydflag != USE) {
+  EN_Project *p = (EN_Project*)(_defaultModel);
+  p->viewprog = pviewprog;
+
+  if (p->out_files.Hydflag != USE) {
     ERRCODE(EN_solveH(_defaultModel));
   }