diff --git a/src/kernel/region.c b/src/kernel/region.c
index c2d5e6587..491efa290 100644
--- a/src/kernel/region.c
+++ b/src/kernel/region.c
@@ -1604,7 +1604,7 @@ int owner_change(const region * r)
   if (r->land && r->land->ownership) {
     return r->land->ownership->since_turn;
   }
-  return -1;
+  return INT_MIN;
 }
 
 bool is_mourning(const region * r, int in_turn)