diff --git a/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp b/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp
index 00d8f24a..6d1eb0b5 100644
--- a/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ namespace netgen
     void UpdateTopology ();
     void DoArchive (Archive & archive);
 
-    MPI_Comm GetCommunicator() const;
+    NgMPI_Comm GetCommunicator() const;
     
     virtual ~Ngx_Mesh();
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp b/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp
index 7fe34c1b..e68393f1 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ namespace netgen
     SetGlobalMesh (mesh);
   }
 
-  MPI_Comm Ngx_Mesh :: GetCommunicator() const
-  { return Valid() ? mesh->GetCommunicator() : MPI_COMM_NULL; }
+  NgMPI_Comm Ngx_Mesh :: GetCommunicator() const
+  { return Valid() ? mesh->GetCommunicator() : NgMPI_Comm(MPI_COMM_NULL); }
 
   void Ngx_Mesh :: SaveMesh (ostream & ost) const
   {