diff --git a/plugins/devel/color-dfhack-text.cpp b/plugins/devel/color-dfhack-text.cpp
index eb5e9c659..d0db8e710 100644
--- a/plugins/devel/color-dfhack-text.cpp
+++ b/plugins/devel/color-dfhack-text.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ REQUIRE_GLOBAL(gps);
 struct {
     bool flicker;
     uint8_t color;
-    short tick;
+    uint8_t tick;
 } config;
 
 void color_text_tile(const Screen::Pen &pen, int x, int y, bool map);