diff --git a/src/xrt/include/xrt/xrt_compiler.h b/src/xrt/include/xrt/xrt_compiler.h
index 43a22c42b..a79cad28b 100644
--- a/src/xrt/include/xrt/xrt_compiler.h
+++ b/src/xrt/include/xrt/xrt_compiler.h
@@ -64,6 +64,18 @@
 #endif
 
 
+/*
+ * To make sure return values are checked.
+ */
+#if defined(__GNUC__) && (__GNUC__ >= 4)
+#define XRT_CHECK_RESULT __attribute__((warn_unused_result))
+#elif defined(_MSC_VER) && (_MSC_VER >= 1700)
+#define XRT_CHECK_RESULT _Check_return_
+#else
+#define XRT_CHECK_RESULT
+#endif
+
+
 /*
  * To stop inlining.
  */