diff --git a/src/lib/dma-trace.c b/src/lib/dma-trace.c
index ea63ab481..1fbd050f6 100644
--- a/src/lib/dma-trace.c
+++ b/src/lib/dma-trace.c
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ static uint64_t trace_work(void *data, uint64_t delay)
 	struct dma_sg_config *config = &d->config;
 	unsigned long flags;
 	uint32_t avail = buffer->avail;
-	uint32_t size;
+	int32_t size;
 	uint32_t hsize;
 	uint32_t lsize;