diff --git a/bin/tools/named-journalprint.c b/bin/tools/named-journalprint.c
index 37cc0ff205..cea855e4c6 100644
--- a/bin/tools/named-journalprint.c
+++ b/bin/tools/named-journalprint.c
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	isc_result_t result;
 	isc_log_t *lctx = NULL;
 	uint32_t flags = 0U;
-	char ch;
+	int ch;
 	bool downgrade = false;
 	bool upgrade = false;