diff --git a/ares_query.c b/ares_query.c
index b38b8a6c..5bbb2f5c 100644
--- a/ares_query.c
+++ b/ares_query.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ static void rc4(rc4_key* key, unsigned char *buffer_ptr, int buffer_len)
   unsigned char y;
   unsigned char* state;
   unsigned char xorIndex;
-  short counter;
+  int counter;
 
   x = key->x;
   y = key->y;