diff --git a/src/vm/js/Compiler.nqp b/src/vm/js/Compiler.nqp
index fbf52e6d83..b3f52fb089 100644
--- a/src/vm/js/Compiler.nqp
+++ b/src/vm/js/Compiler.nqp
@@ -1591,7 +1591,7 @@ class QAST::CompilerJS does DWIMYNameMangling does SerializeOnce {
                 $unsigned ?? $T_UINT8 !! $T_INT8;
             }
             elsif $bits == 16 {
-                $unsigned ?? $T_UINT8 !! $T_INT16;
+                $unsigned ?? $T_UINT16 !! $T_INT16;
             }
             else {
                 $T_INT;