diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/miiphybb.c b/drivers/net/phy/miiphybb.c
index af676b9baee..d61722490ea 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/miiphybb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/miiphybb.c
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ static void miiphy_pre(struct bb_miiphy_bus *bus, char read,
  */
 int bb_miiphy_read(struct mii_dev *miidev, int addr, int devad, int reg)
 {
-	short rdreg; /* register working value */
+	unsigned short rdreg; /* register working value */
 	int v;
 	int j; /* counter */
 	struct bb_miiphy_bus *bus;