diff --git a/mach/proto/as/comm5.c b/mach/proto/as/comm5.c
index 2eb8d1250..5fbd6722a 100644
--- a/mach/proto/as/comm5.c
+++ b/mach/proto/as/comm5.c
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ ok:
 hash(p)
 register char *p;
 {
-	register unsigned h;
+	register unsigned short h;
 	register c;
 
 	h = 0;