diff --git a/libavcodec/avcodec.h b/libavcodec/avcodec.h
index d18b4347db..353a42a67b 100644
--- a/libavcodec/avcodec.h
+++ b/libavcodec/avcodec.h
@@ -2557,12 +2557,14 @@ typedef struct AVCodecContext {
      */
     int bits_per_raw_sample;
 
+#if FF_API_LOWRES
     /**
      * low resolution decoding, 1-> 1/2 size, 2->1/4 size
      * - encoding: unused
      * - decoding: Set by user.
      */
      int lowres;
+#endif
 
     /**
      * the picture in the bitstream
diff --git a/libavcodec/version.h b/libavcodec/version.h
index d6f7b8eb2b..c305747ffd 100644
--- a/libavcodec/version.h
+++ b/libavcodec/version.h
@@ -88,5 +88,8 @@
 #ifndef FF_API_MISSING_SAMPLE
 #define FF_API_MISSING_SAMPLE    (LIBAVCODEC_VERSION_MAJOR < 56)
 #endif
+#ifndef FF_API_LOWRES
+#define FF_API_LOWRES            (LIBAVCODEC_VERSION_MAJOR < 56)
+#endif
 
 #endif /* AVCODEC_VERSION_H */