diff --git a/src/update.c b/src/update.c
index c7e03192..f98dbb04 100644
--- a/src/update.c
+++ b/src/update.c
@@ -32,8 +32,10 @@ extern union block *current_block;
 
 /* We've hit the end of the old stuff, and its time to start writing new
    stuff to the tape.  This involves seeking back one record and
-   re-writing the current record (which has been changed).  */
-int time_to_start_writing;
+   re-writing the current record (which has been changed).
+   FIXME: Either eliminate it or move it to common.h. 
+*/
+bool time_to_start_writing;
 
 /* Pointer to where we started to write in the first record we write out.
    This is used if we can't backspace the output and have to null out the
@@ -175,7 +177,7 @@ update_archive (void)
     }
 
   reset_eof ();
-  time_to_start_writing = 1;
+  time_to_start_writing = true;
   output_start = current_block->buffer;
 
   {