diff --git a/src/sink/GEAR/sink_properties.h b/src/sink/GEAR/sink_properties.h
index be3dd4e1968f5e716fb6887e170d2a41a5a3ffaf..f877a9641870e881dea3fb2faaac1a5f16438b0e 100644
--- a/src/sink/GEAR/sink_properties.h
+++ b/src/sink/GEAR/sink_properties.h
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ struct sink_props {
 
   /*! Disable sink formation? (e.g. used in sink accretion tests). Default: 0
      (keep sink formation) */
-  uint8_t disable_sink_formation;
+  char disable_sink_formation;
 
   /*! Factor to rescale the velocity dispersion of the stars when they are
      spawned */