diff --git a/src/include/private/switch_core_pvt.h b/src/include/private/switch_core_pvt.h
index d41250a8e2..74387bf1b6 100644
--- a/src/include/private/switch_core_pvt.h
+++ b/src/include/private/switch_core_pvt.h
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ struct switch_runtime {
 	uint32_t debug_level;
 	uint32_t runlevel;
 	uint32_t tipping_point;
-	uint32_t timer_affinity;
+	int32_t timer_affinity;
 };
 
 extern struct switch_runtime runtime;