diff --git a/drivers/perf/arm_dsu_pmu.c b/drivers/perf/arm_dsu_pmu.c
index 37c0526c93d59..93c50e3775078 100644
--- a/drivers/perf/arm_dsu_pmu.c
+++ b/drivers/perf/arm_dsu_pmu.c
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ struct dsu_pmu {
 	cpumask_t			associated_cpus;
 	cpumask_t			active_cpu;
 	struct hlist_node		cpuhp_node;
-	u8				num_counters;
+	s8				num_counters;
 	int				irq;
 	DECLARE_BITMAP(cpmceid_bitmap, DSU_PMU_MAX_COMMON_EVENTS);
 };