diff --git a/backend.native/tests/link/default/default.kt b/backend.native/tests/link/default/default.kt
index 3a39fec1d75..c7b3f8d88f2 100644
--- a/backend.native/tests/link/default/default.kt
+++ b/backend.native/tests/link/default/default.kt
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
+import kotlinx.cinterop.signExtend
 import platform.posix.*
 
 fun main(args: Array<String>) {
     // Just check the typealias is in scope.
-    val sizet: size_t = 0L
+    val sizet: size_t = 0.signExtend<size_t>()
     println("sizet = $sizet")
 }
diff --git a/backend.native/tests/link/purge1/lib.kt b/backend.native/tests/link/purge1/lib.kt
index b0ec3437fb3..79039bf502b 100644
--- a/backend.native/tests/link/purge1/lib.kt
+++ b/backend.native/tests/link/purge1/lib.kt
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+import kotlinx.cinterop.signExtend
 import platform.posix.*
 
 fun foo() {
     println("linked library")
-    val size: size_t = 17L
+    val size: size_t = 17.signExtend<size_t>()
     val e = fabs(1.toDouble())
     println("and symbols from posix available: $size; $e")
 }