diff --git a/py/modsys.c b/py/modsys.c
index b8c427ba87..0a8f3cd50e 100644
--- a/py/modsys.c
+++ b/py/modsys.c
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ STATIC const mp_rom_map_elem_t mp_module_sys_globals_table[] = {
     // to not try to compare sys.maxsize to some literal number (as this
     // number might not fit in available int size), but instead count number
     // of "one" bits in sys.maxsize.
-    { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_maxsize), MP_OBJ_NEW_SMALL_INT(MP_SMALL_INT_MAX) },
+    { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_maxsize), MP_ROM_INT(MP_SMALL_INT_MAX) },
     #else
     { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_maxsize), MP_ROM_PTR(&mp_maxsize_obj) },
     #endif