diff --git a/opal/util/if.c b/opal/util/if.c
index 8273104892..c80329104f 100644
--- a/opal/util/if.c
+++ b/opal/util/if.c
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ int opal_ifnametoindex(const char* if_name)
  *  corresponding kernel index.
  */
 
-uint16_t opal_ifnametokindex(const char* if_name)
+int16_t opal_ifnametokindex(const char* if_name)
 {
     opal_if_t* intf;
     int rc = opal_ifinit();
@@ -1230,7 +1230,7 @@ opal_ifnametoindex(const char* if_name)
     return OPAL_ERR_NOT_SUPPORTED;
 }
 
-uint16_t
+int16_t
 opal_ifnametokindex(const char* if_name)
 {
     return OPAL_ERR_NOT_SUPPORTED;
diff --git a/opal/util/if.h b/opal/util/if.h
index 188840b7ff..55483ec55d 100644
--- a/opal/util/if.h
+++ b/opal/util/if.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ OPAL_DECLSPEC int opal_ifnametoindex(const char* if_name);
  *  @param if_name (IN)  Interface name
  *  @return              Interface kernel index
  */
-OPAL_DECLSPEC uint16_t opal_ifnametokindex(const char* if_name);
+OPAL_DECLSPEC int16_t opal_ifnametokindex(const char* if_name);
 
 /**
  *  Lookup an interface by opal_list index and return its kernel index.