diff --git a/drivers/serial/8250.c b/drivers/serial/8250.c
index 98ec86185328..c129a0e8e807 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/8250.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/8250.c
@@ -1196,7 +1196,7 @@ static void serial8250_enable_ms(struct uart_port *port)
 }
 
 static void
-receive_chars(struct uart_8250_port *up, int *status)
+receive_chars(struct uart_8250_port *up, unsigned int *status)
 {
 	struct tty_struct *tty = up->port.info->tty;
 	unsigned char ch, lsr = *status;