diff --git a/ctree.h b/ctree.h
index 52ddd522..df088d18 100644
--- a/ctree.h
+++ b/ctree.h
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ struct btrfs_path {
 	/* The kernel locking sheme is not done in userspace. */
 	int locks[BTRFS_MAX_LEVEL];
 #endif
-	int reada;
+	signed char reada;
 	/* keep some upper locks as we walk down */
 	int lowest_level;