diff --git a/include/eventstr.h b/include/eventstr.h
index 79685c1a6..433227e6e 100644
--- a/include/eventstr.h
+++ b/include/eventstr.h
@@ -91,9 +91,9 @@ struct _DeviceEvent
         uint32_t button;  /**< Button number */
         uint32_t key;     /**< Key code */
     } detail;
-    uint16_t root_x;      /**< Pos relative to root window in integral data */
+    int16_t root_x;       /**< Pos relative to root window in integral data */
     float root_x_frac;    /**< Pos relative to root window in frac part */
-    uint16_t root_y;      /**< Pos relative to root window in integral part */
+    int16_t root_y;       /**< Pos relative to root window in integral part */
     float root_y_frac;    /**< Pos relative to root window in frac part */
     uint8_t    buttons[(MAX_BUTTONS + 7)/8]; /**< Button mask */
     struct {