diff --git a/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/util.c b/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/util.c
index 5005e182089..bd7fdde85dc 100644
--- a/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/util.c
+++ b/ntoskrnl/io/iomgr/util.c
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ IoCheckEaBufferValidity(IN PFILE_FULL_EA_INFORMATION EaBuffer,
         /* Compute the remaining bits */
         EaLength -= NextEntryOffset;
         /* We must have bits left */
-        if (EaLength < 0)
+        if ((LONG)EaLength < 0)
         {
             goto FailPath;
         }