diff --git a/gdb/block.c b/gdb/block.c
index 8f15cdf23f8..1698ee51e7b 100644
--- a/gdb/block.c
+++ b/gdb/block.c
@@ -397,9 +397,7 @@ allocate_block (struct obstack *obstack)
 struct block *
 allocate_global_block (struct obstack *obstack)
 {
-  struct global_block *bl = new (obstack) struct global_block;
-
-  return &bl->block;
+  return new (obstack) struct global_block;
 }
 
 /* See block.h.  */
diff --git a/gdb/block.h b/gdb/block.h
index 9a60140581d..3d71e7daab1 100644
--- a/gdb/block.h
+++ b/gdb/block.h
@@ -314,12 +314,8 @@ struct block : public allocate_on_obstack
 /* The global block is singled out so that we can provide a back-link
    to the compunit symtab.  */
 
-struct global_block : public allocate_on_obstack
+struct global_block : public block
 {
-  /* The block.  */
-
-  struct block block;
-
   /* This holds a pointer to the compunit symtab holding this block.  */
 
   struct compunit_symtab *compunit_symtab = nullptr;