diff --git a/arch/risc-v/src/esp32c3/esp32c3_wlan.c b/arch/risc-v/src/esp32c3/esp32c3_wlan.c
index 9777557c72..ff25fd65fa 100644
--- a/arch/risc-v/src/esp32c3/esp32c3_wlan.c
+++ b/arch/risc-v/src/esp32c3/esp32c3_wlan.c
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ struct wlan_ops_s
 
 struct wlan_priv_s
 {
-  bool   ref;                   /* Reference count */
+  int    ref;                   /* Reference count */
 
   bool   ifup;                  /* true:ifup false:ifdown */
 
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_wlan.c b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_wlan.c
index 6bf510b2ae..37368df2a7 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_wlan.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_wlan.c
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ struct wlan_ops
 
 struct wlan_priv_s
 {
-  bool   ref;                   /* Referernce count */
+  int    ref;                   /* Referernce count */
 
   bool   ifup;                  /* true:ifup false:ifdown */