diff --git a/cmd/tools/vtest-all.v b/cmd/tools/vtest-all.v
index a32caf3d94..50c234af03 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vtest-all.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vtest-all.v
@@ -180,6 +180,11 @@ fn get_all_commands() []Command {
 			okmsg: 'V can compile 2048 with -skip-unused.'
 			rmfile: 'examples/2048/2048'
 		}
+		res << Command{
+			line: '${vexe} -skip-unused  -live examples/hot_reload/bounce.v'
+			okmsg: 'V can compile the hot code reloading bounce.v example with both: -skip-unused -live'
+			rmfile: 'examples/hot_reload/bounce'
+		}
 	}
 	res << Command{
 		line: '${vexe} -o vtmp cmd/v'
diff --git a/vlib/v/live/executable/reloader.v b/vlib/v/live/executable/reloader.v
index 95f464c020..b4f7af4264 100644
--- a/vlib/v/live/executable/reloader.v
+++ b/vlib/v/live/executable/reloader.v
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ pub const is_used = 1
 
 // The live reloader code is implemented here.
 // Note: new_live_reload_info will be called by generated C code inside main()
+[markused]
 pub fn new_live_reload_info(original string, vexe string, vopts string, live_fn_mutex voidptr, live_linkfn live.FNLinkLiveSymbols) &live.LiveReloadInfo {
 	file_base := os.file_name(original).replace('.v', '')
 	so_dir := os.cache_dir()
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ pub fn new_live_reload_info(original string, vexe string, vopts string, live_fn_
 // Note: start_reloader will be called by generated code inside main(), to start
 // the hot code reloader thread. start_reloader is executed in the context of
 // the original main thread.
+[markused]
 pub fn start_reloader(mut r live.LiveReloadInfo) {
 	// The shared library should be loaded once in the main thread
 	// If that fails, the program would crash anyway, just provide
@@ -50,6 +52,7 @@ pub fn start_reloader(mut r live.LiveReloadInfo) {
 // that were used during the main program compilation. Any change to any of them, will later trigger a
 // recompilation and reloading of the produced shared library. This makes it possible for [live] functions
 // inside modules to also work, not just in the top level program.
+[markused]
 pub fn add_live_monitored_file(mut lri live.LiveReloadInfo, path string) {
 	mtime := os.file_last_mod_unix(path)
 	lri.monitored_files << path
diff --git a/vlib/v/markused/markused.v b/vlib/v/markused/markused.v
index 4a519c31de..ee3c713afa 100644
--- a/vlib/v/markused/markused.v
+++ b/vlib/v/markused/markused.v
@@ -338,12 +338,6 @@ pub fn mark_used(mut table ast.Table, pref_ &pref.Preferences, ast_files []&ast.
 		}
 	}
 
-	// handle -live main programs:
-	if pref_.is_livemain {
-		all_fn_root_names << 'v.live.executable.start_reloader'
-		all_fn_root_names << 'v.live.executable.new_live_reload_info'
-	}
-
 	mut walker := Walker{
 		table: table
 		files: ast_files