diff --git a/drivers/vhost/net.c b/drivers/vhost/net.c
index 072cbba..7f93f34 100644
--- a/drivers/vhost/net.c
+++ b/drivers/vhost/net.c
@@ -379,7 +379,8 @@
 		.hdr.gso_type = VIRTIO_NET_HDR_GSO_NONE
 	};
 	size_t total_len = 0;
-	int err, headcount, mergeable;
+	int err, mergeable;
+	s16 headcount;
 	size_t vhost_hlen, sock_hlen;
 	size_t vhost_len, sock_len;
 	/* TODO: check that we are running from vhost_worker? */