diff --git a/library/bignum.c b/library/bignum.c
index 5f5df78e1..d5bde8b2c 100644
--- a/library/bignum.c
+++ b/library/bignum.c
@@ -742,10 +742,15 @@ cleanup:
 static mbedtls_mpi_uint mpi_uint_bigendian_to_host_c( mbedtls_mpi_uint x )
 {
     uint8_t i;
+    unsigned char *x_ptr;
     mbedtls_mpi_uint tmp = 0;
-    /* This works regardless of the endianness. */
-    for( i = 0; i < ciL; i++, x >>= 8 )
-        tmp |= ( x & 0xFF ) << ( ( ciL - 1 - i ) << 3 );
+
+    for( i = 0, x_ptr = (unsigned char*) &x; i < ciL; i++, x_ptr++ )
+    {
+        tmp <<= CHAR_BIT;
+        tmp |= (mbedtls_mpi_uint) *x_ptr;
+    }
+
     return( tmp );
 }