diff --git a/servers/slapd/entry.c b/servers/slapd/entry.c
index d530e52002..0f7f3d334e 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/entry.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/entry.c
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ str2entry( char *s )
 
 #define MAKE_SPACE( n )	{ \
 		while ( ecur + (n) > ebuf + emaxsize ) { \
-			int	offset; \
+			ptrdiff_t	offset; \
 			offset = (int) (ecur - ebuf); \
 			ebuf = (unsigned char *) ch_realloc( (char *) ebuf, \
 			    emaxsize + GRABSIZE ); \