diff --git a/vp8/encoder/onyx_int.h b/vp8/encoder/onyx_int.h
index 6ede9b95a..44fbbd456 100644
--- a/vp8/encoder/onyx_int.h
+++ b/vp8/encoder/onyx_int.h
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ typedef struct VP8_COMP
     double key_frame_rate_correction_factor;
     double gf_rate_correction_factor;
 
-    unsigned int frames_since_golden;
+    int frames_since_golden;
     /* Count down till next GF */
     int frames_till_gf_update_due;