diff --git a/src/RoomInfoListItem.cpp b/src/RoomInfoListItem.cpp
index fa63a36b..cc5f5776 100644
--- a/src/RoomInfoListItem.cpp
+++ b/src/RoomInfoListItem.cpp
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ enum NotificationImportance : short
         Invite             = 3
 };
 
-unsigned short int
+short int
 RoomInfoListItem::calculateImportance() const
 {
         // Returns the degree of importance of the unread messages in the room.
diff --git a/src/RoomInfoListItem.h b/src/RoomInfoListItem.h
index 9361a20b..e609f4d8 100644
--- a/src/RoomInfoListItem.h
+++ b/src/RoomInfoListItem.h
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public:
         void updateUnreadMessageCount(int count, int highlightedCount);
         void clearUnreadMessageCount() { updateUnreadMessageCount(0, 0); };
 
-        unsigned short int calculateImportance() const;
+        short int calculateImportance() const;
 
         QString roomId() { return roomId_; }
         bool isPressed() const { return isPressed_; }