diff --git a/chmod_chown_chgrp.c b/chmod_chown_chgrp.c
index cf6a50895..156a0a9f9 100644
--- a/chmod_chown_chgrp.c
+++ b/chmod_chown_chgrp.c
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@
 #include <pwd.h>
 
 
-static unsigned long uid = -1;
-static unsigned long gid = -1;
+static long uid = -1;
+static long gid = -1;
 static int whichApp;
 static char *theMode = NULL;