diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c
index d9e1061762..aecffaddc6 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ ldbm_back_init(
 	li = (struct ldbminfo *) ch_calloc( 1, sizeof(struct ldbminfo) );
 
 	/* arrange to read nextid later (on first request for it) */
-	li->li_nextid = -1;
+	li->li_nextid = NOID;
 
 	/* default cache size */
 	li->li_cache.c_maxsize = DEFAULT_CACHE_SIZE;