diff --git a/library/base64.c b/library/base64.c
index c743511..7de87e5 100644
--- a/library/base64.c
+++ b/library/base64.c
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@
      49,  50,  51, 127, 127, 127, 127, 127
 };
 
+#define BASE64_SIZE_T_MAX   ( (size_t) -1 ) /* SIZE_T_MAX is not standard */
+
 /*
  * Encode a buffer into base64 format
  */
@@ -93,9 +95,9 @@
 
     n = slen / 3 + ( slen % 3 != 0 );
 
-    if( n > ( SIZE_T_MAX - 1 ) / 4 )
+    if( n > ( BASE64_SIZE_T_MAX - 1 ) / 4 )
     {
-        *dlen = SIZE_T_MAX;
+        *dlen = BASE64_SIZE_T_MAX;
         return( POLARSSL_ERR_BASE64_BUFFER_TOO_SMALL );
     }