diff --git a/sources/mshmet/hash.c b/sources/mshmet/hash.c
index 2536b76..6357882 100644
--- a/sources/mshmet/hash.c
+++ b/sources/mshmet/hash.c
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ int hashel_3d(pMesh mesh) {
   hsize = mesh->ne;
 
   /* init */
-  inival = 2 << 30;
+  inival = INT_MAX;
   for (k=0; k<=mesh->ne; k++)
     hcode[k] = -inival;