diff --git a/tools/src/asset_processor/reader.h b/tools/src/asset_processor/reader.h
index dc2159fce..d31bf0f06 100644
--- a/tools/src/asset_processor/reader.h
+++ b/tools/src/asset_processor/reader.h
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class Reader {
 
     [[nodiscard]] s8 read_s8() {
         // TODO range check
-        return data[static_cast<unsigned long>(cursor++)];
+        return static_cast<s8>(data[static_cast<unsigned long>(cursor++)]);
     }
 
     [[nodiscard]] u8 read_u8() {
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class Reader {
     // const int size;
 };
 
-#endif
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif