diff --git a/src/proto.h b/src/proto.h
index 8bee99c1..fa6a309a 100644
--- a/src/proto.h
+++ b/src/proto.h
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ void rcfile_error(const char *msg, ...);
 char *parse_next_word(char *ptr);
 char *parse_argument(char *ptr);
 #ifdef ENABLE_COLOR
-int color_to_short(const char *colorname, bool *bright);
+short color_to_short(const char *colorname, bool *bright);
 char *parse_next_regex(char *ptr);
 bool nregcomp(regex_t *preg, const char *regex, int eflags);
 void parse_syntax(char *ptr);
diff --git a/src/rcfile.c b/src/rcfile.c
index eb398767..96e6f080 100644
--- a/src/rcfile.c
+++ b/src/rcfile.c
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ char *parse_argument(char *ptr)
 }
 
 #ifdef ENABLE_COLOR
-int color_to_short(const char *colorname, bool *bright)
+short color_to_short(const char *colorname, bool *bright)
 {
     short mcolor = -1;