diff --git a/eo/test/mpi/t-mpi-distrib-exp.cpp b/eo/test/mpi/t-mpi-distrib-exp.cpp
index 1b390667..e34170de 100644
--- a/eo/test/mpi/t-mpi-distrib-exp.cpp
+++ b/eo/test/mpi/t-mpi-distrib-exp.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@ class Distribution : public std::vector< type >
     {
         for( unsigned i = 0; i < size; ++i )
         {
-            push_back( next_element() );
+            int next = next_element();
+            if( next < 0 ) next = 0;
+            push_back( next );
         }
     }