diff --git a/library/bignum.c b/library/bignum.c
index 2b1155b..c97f16d 100644
--- a/library/bignum.c
+++ b/library/bignum.c
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 #include "polarssl/bn_mul.h"
 
 #include <string.h>
-#include <limits.h>
 
 #if defined(POLARSSL_PLATFORM_C)
 #include "polarssl/platform.h"
@@ -60,6 +59,8 @@
 #define biL    (ciL << 3)               /* bits  in limb  */
 #define biH    (ciL << 2)               /* half limb size */
 
+#define MPI_SIZE_T_MAX  ( (size_t) -1 ) /* SIZE_T_MAX is not standard */
+
 /*
  * Convert between bits/chars and number of limbs
  * Divide first in order to avoid potential overflows
@@ -416,7 +417,7 @@
 
     if( radix == 16 )
     {
-        if( slen > SIZE_T_MAX >> 2 )
+        if( slen > MPI_SIZE_T_MAX >> 2 )
             return( POLARSSL_ERR_MPI_BAD_INPUT_DATA );
 
         n = BITS_TO_LIMBS( slen << 2 );