diff --git a/libbb/mode_string.c b/libbb/mode_string.c
index 8d4d736..83142ba 100644
--- a/libbb/mode_string.c
+++ b/libbb/mode_string.c
@@ -20,6 +20,11 @@
  *
  */
 
+/* Aug 13, 2003
+ * Fix a bug reported by junkio@cox.net involving the mode_chars index.
+ */
+
+
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 
@@ -119,7 +124,7 @@
 		} while (++j < 3);
 		++i;
 		if (mode & (010000 >> i)) {
-			*p = mode_chars[3 + k + (i >> 1)];
+			*p = mode_chars[3 + (k & 2) + (i == 3)];
 		}
 	} while (i < 3);