diff --git a/include/prototypes.h b/include/prototypes.h
index 79315ee0..0abb99ef 100644
--- a/include/prototypes.h
+++ b/include/prototypes.h
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ extern void land_damage(struct lndstr *, int);
 extern void planedamage(struct plnstr *, int);
 extern int nukedamage(struct nchrstr *, int, int);
 extern int effdamage(register int, int);
-extern void item_damage(int, u_short *);
+extern void item_damage(int, short *);
 extern int commdamage(register int, int, int);
 /* check.c */
 extern int check_sect_ok(struct sctstr *);
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/mfir.c b/src/lib/commands/mfir.c
index 3565b5de..4bd57cba 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/mfir.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/mfir.c
@@ -996,7 +996,7 @@ use_ammo(struct emp_qelem *list)
     struct lndstr land;
     struct sctstr sect;
     int shell;
-    u_short *item;
+    short *item;
     double mobcost;
     struct mchrstr *mcp;
 
diff --git a/src/lib/common/damage.c b/src/lib/common/damage.c
index b5baf6a3..649b2626 100644
--- a/src/lib/common/damage.c
+++ b/src/lib/common/damage.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 #include "subs.h"
 
 void
-item_damage(int pct, u_short *item)
+item_damage(int pct, short *item)
 {
     int i, lose;