diff --git a/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/SoftwareSerial.cpp b/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/SoftwareSerial.cpp
index 0a16ff7..877d128 100644
--- a/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/SoftwareSerial.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SoftwareSerial/src/SoftwareSerial.cpp
@@ -482,5 +482,5 @@ int SoftwareSerial::peek()
     return -1;
 
   // Read from "head"
-  return _receive_buffer[_receive_buffer_head];
+  return (uint8_t)_receive_buffer[_receive_buffer_head];
 }