diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/formula/ptg/NamePtg.java b/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/formula/ptg/NamePtg.java
index 6fa83feb9..1c590acaa 100644
--- a/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/formula/ptg/NamePtg.java
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/formula/ptg/NamePtg.java
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public final class NamePtg extends OperandPtg implements WorkbookDependentFormul
 
 	/** Creates new NamePtg */
 	public NamePtg(LittleEndianInput in)  {
-		field_1_label_index = in.readShort();
+		field_1_label_index = in.readUShort();
 		field_2_zero = in.readShort();
 	}