diff --git a/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/connection.h b/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/connection.h
index 16427418e4..2c387995c4 100644
--- a/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/connection.h
+++ b/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/connection.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 
 #include <boost/function.hpp>
 #include <boost/signals/connection.hpp>
+#include "macros.h"
 
 namespace message_filters
 {
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ namespace message_filters
 /**
  * \brief Encapsulates a connection from one filter to another (or to a user-specified callback)
  */
-class Connection
+class MESSAGE_FILTERS_DECL Connection
 {
 public:
   typedef boost::function<void(void)> VoidDisconnectFunction;
diff --git a/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/macros.h b/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/macros.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6853a2b042
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utilities/message_filters/include/message_filters/macros.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2008, Willow Garage, Inc.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *   * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
+ *     this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *   * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *     documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *   * Neither the names of Stanford University or Willow Garage, Inc. nor the names of its
+ *     contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ *     this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#ifndef MESSAGE_FILTERS_MACROS_H_
+#define MESSAGE_FILTERS_MACROS_H_
+
+#include <ros/macros.h> // for the DECL's
+
+// Import/export for windows dll's and visibility for gcc shared libraries.
+
+#ifdef ROS_BUILD_SHARED_LIBS // ros is being built around shared libraries
+  #ifdef message_filters_EXPORTS // we are building a shared lib/dll
+    #define MESSAGE_FILTERS_DECL ROS_HELPER_EXPORT
+  #else // we are using shared lib/dll
+    #define MESSAGE_FILTERS_DECL ROS_HELPER_IMPORT
+  #endif
+#else // ros is being built around static libraries
+  #define MESSAGE_FILTERS_DECL
+#endif
+
+#endif /* MESSAGE_FILTERS_MACROS_H_ */