diff --git a/examples/osd/native-border-router/slip-config.c b/examples/osd/native-border-router/slip-config.c
index 84d256127..9d93afa7a 100644
--- a/examples/osd/native-border-router/slip-config.c
+++ b/examples/osd/native-border-router/slip-config.c
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ int
 slip_config_handle_arguments(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   const char *prog;
-  char c;
+  signed char c;
   int baudrate = 115200;
 
   slip_config_verbose = 0;