diff --git a/tools/winebuild/build.h b/tools/winebuild/build.h
index a22a4df..9e517c0 100644
--- a/tools/winebuild/build.h
+++ b/tools/winebuild/build.h
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
 
 typedef struct
 {
-    int value;
+    unsigned short value;
 } ORD_ABS;
 
 typedef struct
diff --git a/tools/winebuild/parser.c b/tools/winebuild/parser.c
index f9ef406..3cf3722 100644
--- a/tools/winebuild/parser.c
+++ b/tools/winebuild/parser.c
@@ -355,6 +355,11 @@
         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;
 }