diff --git a/code/espurna/mqtt.ino b/code/espurna/mqtt.ino
index 697712f2..b7814b3d 100644
--- a/code/espurna/mqtt.ino
+++ b/code/espurna/mqtt.ino
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ bool _mqtt_use_json = false;
 unsigned long _mqtt_reconnect_delay = MQTT_RECONNECT_DELAY_MIN;
 unsigned char _mqtt_qos = MQTT_QOS;
 bool _mqtt_retain = MQTT_RETAIN;
-unsigned char _mqtt_keepalive = MQTT_KEEPALIVE;
+unsigned long _mqtt_keepalive = MQTT_KEEPALIVE;
 String _mqtt_topic;
 String _mqtt_topic_json;
 String _mqtt_setter;