diff --git a/cyassl/ctaocrypt/types.h b/cyassl/ctaocrypt/types.h
index 457909633..4ca9d558c 100644
--- a/cyassl/ctaocrypt/types.h
+++ b/cyassl/ctaocrypt/types.h
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@
 #endif
 
 #ifndef CYASSL_TYPES
-    typedef unsigned char  byte;
+    #ifndef byte
+        typedef unsigned char  byte;
+    #endif
     typedef unsigned short word16;
     typedef unsigned int   word32;
 #endif