diff --git a/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.c b/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.c
index 8ccc5342..d61490d2 100644
--- a/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.c
+++ b/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.c
@@ -1150,7 +1150,20 @@ sp_capture_writer_set_counters (SpCaptureWriter             *self,
   return TRUE;
 }
 
-gint
+/**
+ * sp_capture_writer_request_counter:
+ *
+ * This requests a series of counter identifiers for the capture.
+ *
+ * The returning number is always greater than zero. The resulting counter
+ * values are monotonic starting from the resulting value.
+ *
+ * For example, if you are returned 5, and requested 3 counters, the counter
+ * ids you should use are 5, 6, and 7.
+ *
+ * Returns: The next series of counter values or zero on failure.
+ */
+guint
 sp_capture_writer_request_counter (SpCaptureWriter *self,
                                    guint            n_counters)
 {
@@ -1158,6 +1171,9 @@ sp_capture_writer_request_counter (SpCaptureWriter *self,
 
   g_assert (self != NULL);
 
+  if (G_MAXUINT - n_counters < self->next_counter_id)
+    return 0;
+
   ret = self->next_counter_id;
   self->next_counter_id += n_counters;
 
diff --git a/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.h b/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.h
index 18670589..c2d2ae9c 100644
--- a/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.h
+++ b/lib/capture/sp-capture-writer.h
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ gboolean            sp_capture_writer_flush           (SpCaptureWriter         *
 gboolean            sp_capture_writer_save_as         (SpCaptureWriter         *self,
                                                        const gchar             *filename,
                                                        GError                 **error);
-gint                sp_capture_writer_request_counter (SpCaptureWriter         *self,
+guint               sp_capture_writer_request_counter (SpCaptureWriter         *self,
                                                        guint                    n_counters);
 SpCaptureReader    *sp_capture_writer_create_reader   (SpCaptureWriter         *self,
                                                        GError                 **error);