diff --git a/kadmin/init.c b/kadmin/init.c
index c8798cdd8..7047657da 100644
--- a/kadmin/init.c
+++ b/kadmin/init.c
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ init(int argc, char **argv)
     char *realm_max_rlife = NULL;
     HDB *db;
     int optind = 0;
-    unsigned max_life, max_rlife;
+    krb5_deltat max_life, max_rlife;
 
     args[0].value = &realm_max_life;
     args[1].value = &realm_max_rlife;