diff --git a/libAACdec/src/aacdec_hcrs.cpp b/libAACdec/src/aacdec_hcrs.cpp
index 1d5aa27..d2bc867 100644
--- a/libAACdec/src/aacdec_hcrs.cpp
+++ b/libAACdec/src/aacdec_hcrs.cpp
@@ -367,7 +367,10 @@
   UINT tempWord;
   USHORT numValidSegment;
 
-  *pNumWordForBitfield = ((*pNumSegment - 1) >> THIRTYTWO_LOG_DIV_TWO_LOG) + 1;
+  *pNumWordForBitfield =
+      (*pNumSegment == 0)
+          ? 0
+          : ((*pNumSegment - 1) >> THIRTYTWO_LOG_DIV_TWO_LOG) + 1;
 
   /* loop over all words, which are completely used or only partial */
   /* bit in pSegmentBitfield is zero if segment is empty; bit in