diff --git a/Demo/Common/Minimal/death.c b/Demo/Common/Minimal/death.c
index b4e1db32b..ee5617701 100644
--- a/Demo/Common/Minimal/death.c
+++ b/Demo/Common/Minimal/death.c
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ unsigned portBASE_TYPE uxPriority;
 are not any more than four extra tasks. */
 portBASE_TYPE xIsCreateTaskStillRunning( void )
 {
-static portSHORT usLastCreationCount = -1;
+static unsigned portSHORT usLastCreationCount = 0xfff;
 portBASE_TYPE xReturn = pdTRUE;
 static unsigned portBASE_TYPE uxTasksRunningNow;