diff --git a/drivers/char/synclink_gt.c b/drivers/char/synclink_gt.c
index a85a60a93deb..b046390cd256 100644
--- a/drivers/char/synclink_gt.c
+++ b/drivers/char/synclink_gt.c
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ struct slgt_info {
 	int tx_active;
 
 	unsigned char signals;    /* serial signal states */
-	unsigned int init_error;  /* initialization error */
+	int init_error;  /* initialization error */
 
 	unsigned char *tx_buf;
 	int tx_count;