diff --git a/include/lost.h b/include/lost.h
index 1bb93079..a6624637 100644
--- a/include/lost.h
+++ b/include/lost.h
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 struct loststr {
     /* initial part must match struct empobj */
     short ef_type;
-    int lost_uid;
+    short lost_uid;
     unsigned lost_seqno;
     time_t lost_timestamp;	/* When it was lost */
     natid lost_owner;		/* Who lost it */