diff --git a/tools/winebuild/build.h b/tools/winebuild/build.h
index a22a4df8f67..9e517c07833 100644
--- a/tools/winebuild/build.h
+++ b/tools/winebuild/build.h
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ typedef struct
 
 typedef struct
 {
-    int value;
+    unsigned short value;
 } ORD_ABS;
 
 typedef struct
diff --git a/tools/winebuild/parser.c b/tools/winebuild/parser.c
index f9ef406251b..3cf3722cf41 100644
--- a/tools/winebuild/parser.c
+++ b/tools/winebuild/parser.c
@@ -355,6 +355,11 @@ static int parse_spec_equate( ORDDEF *odp, DLLSPEC *spec )
         error( "Expected number value, got '%s'\n", token );
         return 0;
     }
+    if (value < -0x8000 || value > 0xffff)
+    {
+        error( "Value %d for absolute symbol doesn't fit in 16 bits\n", value );
+        value = 0;
+    }
     odp->u.abs.value = value;
     return 1;
 }