diff --git a/include/net/genetlink.h b/include/net/genetlink.h
index 3ec87bacc0f55..a34275be36000 100644
--- a/include/net/genetlink.h
+++ b/include/net/genetlink.h
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ struct genl_info;
  * @n_ops: number of operations supported by this family
  */
 struct genl_family {
-	unsigned int		id;		/* private */
+	int			id;		/* private */
 	unsigned int		hdrsize;
 	char			name[GENL_NAMSIZ];
 	unsigned int		version;