diff --git a/src/net.h b/src/net.h
index 53e13fd095e..24ab43a503d 100644
--- a/src/net.h
+++ b/src/net.h
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public:
     int64 nLastRecv;
     int64 nLastSendEmpty;
     int64 nTimeConnected;
-    unsigned int nHeaderStart;
+    signed int nHeaderStart;
     unsigned int nMessageStart;
     CAddress addr;
     int nVersion;