diff --git a/src/rx/rx.h b/src/rx/rx.h
index 50d2bf28ba..97a9f493c4 100644
--- a/src/rx/rx.h
+++ b/src/rx/rx.h
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ struct rx_connection {
     /* client-- to retransmit the challenge */
     struct rx_service *service;	/* used by servers only */
     u_short serviceId;		/* To stamp on requests (clients only) */
-    afs_uint32 refCount;	/* Reference count (rx_refcnt_mutex) */
+    afs_int32 refCount;	        /* Reference count (rx_refcnt_mutex) */
     u_char flags;		/* Defined below - (conn_data_lock) */
     u_char type;		/* Type of connection, defined below */
     u_char secondsUntilPing;	/* how often to ping for each active call */
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ struct rx_peer {
 
     /* For garbage collection */
     afs_uint32 idleWhen;	/* When the refcountwent to zero */
-    afs_uint32 refCount;	/* Reference count for this structure (rx_peerHashTable_lock) */
+    afs_int32 refCount;	        /* Reference count for this structure (rx_peerHashTable_lock) */
 
     /* Congestion control parameters */
     u_char burstSize;		/* Reinitialization size for the burst parameter */