diff --git a/sysdeps/unix/sysv/linux/alpha/nptl/bits/semaphore.h b/sysdeps/unix/sysv/linux/alpha/nptl/bits/semaphore.h
index 65298fae48..6dadfda206 100644
--- a/sysdeps/unix/sysv/linux/alpha/nptl/bits/semaphore.h
+++ b/sysdeps/unix/sysv/linux/alpha/nptl/bits/semaphore.h
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #define SEM_FAILED      ((sem_t *) 0)
 
 /* Maximum value the semaphore can have.  */
-#define SEM_VALUE_MAX   ((int) ((~0u) >> 1))
+#define SEM_VALUE_MAX   (2147483647)
 
 
 typedef union