diff --git a/bls12381_utils.h b/bls12381_utils.h
index 89a3ee9a..eead12e7 100644
--- a/bls12381_utils.h
+++ b/bls12381_utils.h
@@ -28,7 +28,16 @@
 #include <string.h>
 
 typedef uint8_t byte;
-typedef _Bool bool; // assuming cgo is using a modern enough compiler
+
+#if !defined(__STDC_VERSION__) || __STDC_VERSION__ < 202311
+typedef _Bool bool; /* it's assumed that cgo calls modern enough compiler */
+#elif !defined(bool)
+#if defined(__STDC_VERSION__) && __STDC_VERSION__ >= 199901
+#define bool _Bool
+#else
+#define bool int
+#endif
+#endif
 
 // minimum targeted security level
 #define SEC_BITS 128