diff --git a/symbol.h b/symbol.h
index 3b9866d80f..4b5c676d55 100644
--- a/symbol.h
+++ b/symbol.h
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ id_type(ID id)
 }
 
 typedef uint32_t rb_id_serial_t;
+static const uint32_t RB_ID_SERIAL_MAX = /* 256M on LP32 */
+    UINT32_MAX >>
+    ((sizeof(ID)-sizeof(rb_id_serial_t))*CHAR_BIT < RUBY_ID_SCOPE_SHIFT ?
+     RUBY_ID_SCOPE_SHIFT : 0);
 
 typedef struct {
     rb_id_serial_t last_id;