diff --git a/include/sound/control.h b/include/sound/control.h
index e128cff10dfa..77d9fa10812d 100644
--- a/include/sound/control.h
+++ b/include/sound/control.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ struct snd_kcontrol_new {
 	snd_ctl_elem_iface_t iface;	/* interface identifier */
 	unsigned int device;		/* device/client number */
 	unsigned int subdevice;		/* subdevice (substream) number */
-	const unsigned char *name;	/* ASCII name of item */
+	const char *name;		/* ASCII name of item */
 	unsigned int index;		/* index of item */
 	unsigned int access;		/* access rights */
 	unsigned int count;		/* count of same elements */