diff --git a/include/bits.c b/include/bits.c
index e0591b6d6..30e71cde2 100644
--- a/include/bits.c
+++ b/include/bits.c
@@ -224,6 +224,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     fprintf(f, "typedef socklen_t krb5_socklen_t;\n");
 #else
     fprintf(f, "typedef int krb5_socklen_t;\n");
+#endif
+#if defined(HAVE_SSIZE_T)
+    fprintf(f, "typedef ssize_t krb5_ssize_t;\n");
+#else
+    fprintf(f, "typedef int krb5_ssize_t;\n");
 #endif
     fprintf(f, "\n");
 #endif /* KRB5 */