diff --git a/drivers/iio/magnetometer/ak8974.c b/drivers/iio/magnetometer/ak8974.c
index fc7e910f8e8b..d32996702110 100644
--- a/drivers/iio/magnetometer/ak8974.c
+++ b/drivers/iio/magnetometer/ak8974.c
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ static int ak8974_read_raw(struct iio_dev *indio_dev,
 		 * We read all axes and discard all but one, for optimized
 		 * reading, use the triggered buffer.
 		 */
-		*val = le16_to_cpu(hw_values[chan->address]);
+		*val = (s16)le16_to_cpu(hw_values[chan->address]);
 
 		ret = IIO_VAL_INT;
 	}