diff --git a/drivers/ieee1394/ieee1394_core.h b/drivers/ieee1394/ieee1394_core.h
index 73bd8efd2b6c94081400539c0cf5508f409e42d0..0b31429d0a683cdae682f26017178ac7669a34e9 100644
--- a/drivers/ieee1394/ieee1394_core.h
+++ b/drivers/ieee1394/ieee1394_core.h
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ struct hpsb_packet {
 
         /* These are core internal. */
         signed char tlabel;
-        char ack_code;
-        char tcode;
+	signed char ack_code;
+	unsigned char tcode;
 
         unsigned expect_response:1;
         unsigned no_waiter:1;