diff --git a/sys/include/net/sock.h b/sys/include/net/sock.h
index d51f9ab2ca..8528ba7709 100644
--- a/sys/include/net/sock.h
+++ b/sys/include/net/sock.h
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ typedef struct {
          */
         uint8_t ipv6[16];
 #endif
-        uint32_t ipv4;      /**< IPv4 address mode */
+        uint8_t ipv4[4];    /**< IPv4 address mode */
     } addr;                 /**< address */
 
     /**
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ struct _sock_tl_ep {
          */
         uint8_t ipv6[16];
 #endif
-        uint32_t ipv4;      /**< IPv4 address mode */
+        uint8_t ipv4[4];    /**< IPv4 address mode */
     } addr;                 /**< address */
 
     /**