diff --git a/drivers/libusb0.c b/drivers/libusb0.c
index adf098ba31..e7f16c9003 100644
--- a/drivers/libusb0.c
+++ b/drivers/libusb0.c
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ static int libusb_open(usb_dev_handle **udevp,
 
 				upsdebug_hex(3, "HID descriptor, method 1", buf, 9);
 
-				rdlen1 = buf[7] | (buf[8] << 8);
+				rdlen1 = (uint8_t)buf[7] | ((uint8_t)buf[8] << 8);
 			}
 
 			if (rdlen1 < -1) {