diff --git a/FL/Fl_Graphics_Driver.H b/FL/Fl_Graphics_Driver.H
index 1d7c3d702..49d6d4fc4 100644
--- a/FL/Fl_Graphics_Driver.H
+++ b/FL/Fl_Graphics_Driver.H
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ public:
   Fl_Fontsize size; /**< font size */
   Fl_Font_Descriptor(const char* fontname, Fl_Fontsize size);
   virtual FL_EXPORT ~Fl_Font_Descriptor() {}
-  short ascent, descent;
+  int ascent, descent;
   unsigned int listbase;// base of display list, 0 = none
 };