diff --git a/src/highlight.c b/src/highlight.c
index a71a100..d3ea2d2 100644
--- a/src/highlight.c
+++ b/src/highlight.c
@@ -3351,8 +3351,8 @@
 
     if (msg_col >= endcol)	// output at least one space
 	endcol = msg_col + 1;
-    if (Columns <= endcol)	// avoid hang for tiny window
-	endcol = Columns - 1;
+    if (Columns <= (long)endcol)	// avoid hang for tiny window
+	endcol = (int)(Columns - 1);
 
     msg_advance(endcol);