diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/emac/core.h b/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/emac/core.h
index 28df37420da9..f379e474ba7c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/emac/core.h
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/emac/core.h
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ struct emac_instance {
 	struct mal_commac		commac;
 
 	/* PHY infos */
-	u32				phy_mode;
+	int				phy_mode;
 	u32				phy_map;
 	u32				phy_address;
 	u32				phy_feat_exc;