diff --git a/include/linux/tty.h b/include/linux/tty.h
index c52a689e09aa..7d66ae508e5c 100644
--- a/include/linux/tty.h
+++ b/include/linux/tty.h
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ struct tty_struct {
 
 #define N_TTY_BUF_SIZE 4096
 
-	unsigned char closing:1;
+	int closing;
 	unsigned char *write_buf;
 	int write_cnt;
 	/* If the tty has a pending do_SAK, queue it here - akpm */