diff --git a/include/misc.h b/include/misc.h
index 3c04594ebc..9d66567bdc 100644
--- a/include/misc.h
+++ b/include/misc.h
@@ -184,10 +184,10 @@ bytes_to_int32(const size_t bytes)
  * @param bytes The minimum number of bytes needed.
  * @return The closest multiple of 4 that is equal or higher than bytes.
  */
-static inline int
-pad_to_int32(const int bytes)
+static inline size_t
+pad_to_int32(const size_t bytes)
 {
-    return (((bytes) + 3) & ~3);
+    return (((bytes) + 3) & ~((size_t)3));
 }
 
 /**