diff --git a/drivers/regulator/core.c b/drivers/regulator/core.c
index 317d701487ec..bf8ba73d6c7c 100644
--- a/drivers/regulator/core.c
+++ b/drivers/regulator/core.c
@@ -2544,7 +2544,7 @@ static int _regulator_do_enable(struct regulator_dev *rdev)
 	 * expired, return -ETIMEDOUT.
 	 */
 	if (rdev->desc->poll_enabled_time) {
-		unsigned int time_remaining = delay;
+		int time_remaining = delay;
 
 		while (time_remaining > 0) {
 			_regulator_enable_delay(rdev->desc->poll_enabled_time);