diff --git a/Source/nthread.cpp b/Source/nthread.cpp
index d660ce340..4019599f0 100644
--- a/Source/nthread.cpp
+++ b/Source/nthread.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ int gdwNormalMsgSize;    // weak
 int last_tick;           // weak
 
 /* data */
-static HANDLE sghThread = (HANDLE)0xFFFFFFFF; // idb
+static HANDLE sghThread = INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE;
 
 void nthread_terminate_game(const char *pszFcn)
 {