diff --git a/modules/database/src/ioc/dbStatic/link.h b/modules/database/src/ioc/dbStatic/link.h
index a7edebf57..82255bc91 100644
--- a/modules/database/src/ioc/dbStatic/link.h
+++ b/modules/database/src/ioc/dbStatic/link.h
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ struct lset;
 struct link {
     struct dbCommon *precord;   /* Pointer to record owning link */
     short type;
-    short flags;
+    unsigned flags;
     struct lset *lset;
     char *text;             /* Raw link text */
     union value value;