diff --git a/engine/common/net_chan.c b/engine/common/net_chan.c
index bfeee3c7..18347c20 100644
--- a/engine/common/net_chan.c
+++ b/engine/common/net_chan.c
@@ -1658,7 +1658,7 @@ void Netchan_TransmitBits( netchan_t *chan, int length, const byte *data )
 	MSG_Init( &send, "NetSend", send_buf, sizeof( send_buf ));
 
 	// prepare the packet header
-	w1 = chan->outgoing_sequence | (send_reliable << 31);
+	w1 = chan->outgoing_sequence | (((uint)send_reliable ) << 31);
 	w2 = chan->incoming_sequence | (chan->incoming_reliable_sequence << 31);
 
 	send_reliable_fragment = false;