diff --git a/ship_gui.c b/ship_gui.c
--- a/ship_gui.c
+++ b/ship_gui.c
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ change_int:
 		break;
 
 	case WE_ON_EDIT_TEXT: {
-		byte *b = e->edittext.str;
+		const char *b = e->edittext.str;
 		if (*b == 0)
 			return;
 		memcpy(_decode_parameters, b, 32);
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ static void NewShipWndProc(Window *w, Wi
 		break;
 
 	case WE_ON_EDIT_TEXT: {
-		byte *b = e->edittext.str;
+		const char *b = e->edittext.str;
 		if (*b == 0)
 			return;
 		memcpy(_decode_parameters, b, 32);