diff --git a/ip/iptunnel.c b/ip/iptunnel.c
index 92edb34b..8c05f6fe 100644
--- a/ip/iptunnel.c
+++ b/ip/iptunnel.c
@@ -141,14 +141,13 @@ static int parse_args(int argc, char **argv, int cmd, struct ip_tunnel_parm *p)
 			NEXT_ARG();
 			strncpy(medium, *argv, IFNAMSIZ-1);
 		} else if (strcmp(*argv, "ttl") == 0 ||
-			   strcmp(*argv, "hoplimit") == 0) {
-			unsigned uval;
+			   strcmp(*argv, "hoplimit") == 0 ||
+			   strcmp(*argv, "hlim") == 0) {
+			__u8 uval;
 			NEXT_ARG();
 			if (strcmp(*argv, "inherit") != 0) {
-				if (get_unsigned(&uval, *argv, 0))
+				if (get_u8(&uval, *argv, 0))
 					invarg("invalid TTL\n", *argv);
-				if (uval > 255)
-					invarg("TTL must be <=255\n", *argv);
 				p->iph.ttl = uval;
 			}
 		} else if (strcmp(*argv, "tos") == 0 ||