diff --git a/parse.y b/parse.y
index 285996075..b7b228592 100644
--- a/parse.y
+++ b/parse.y
@@ -3506,9 +3506,16 @@ dimensions
 
   /* This is used to express the return type of a function. */
 function_range_or_type_opt
-  : range            { $$.range = make_range_vector($1); $$.type = PTF_REG; }
-  | K_signed range   { $$.range = make_range_vector($2); $$.type = PTF_REG_S; }
-  | K_unsigned range { $$.range = make_range_vector($2); $$.type = PTF_REG; }
+  : unsigned_signed_opt range_opt
+				{
+				/* the default type is reg unsigned and no range */
+				$$.type = PTF_REG;
+				$$.range = 0;
+				if ($1)
+					$$.type = PTF_REG_S;
+				if ($2)
+					$$.range = make_range_vector($2);
+			}
   | K_reg unsigned_signed_opt range_opt
 			{
 				/* the default type is reg unsigned and no range */
@@ -3526,7 +3533,6 @@ function_range_or_type_opt
   | atom2_type { $$.range = make_range_vector($1); $$.type = PTF_ATOM2_S; }
   | atom2_type K_signed  { $$.range = make_range_vector($1); $$.type = PTF_ATOM2_S; }
   | atom2_type K_unsigned { $$.range = make_range_vector($1); $$.type = PTF_ATOM2; }
-  |            { $$.range = 0;  $$.type = PTF_REG; }
   ;
 
   /* The register_variable rule is matched only when I am parsing