diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 64035e642..564d40845 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -474,8 +474,8 @@ class Item(LibModel):
         'rg_track_peak':        types.NULL_FLOAT,
         'rg_album_gain':        types.NULL_FLOAT,
         'rg_album_peak':        types.NULL_FLOAT,
-        'r128_track_gain':      types.PaddedInt(6),
-        'r128_album_gain':      types.PaddedInt(6),
+        'r128_track_gain':      types.NullPaddedInt(6),
+        'r128_album_gain':      types.NullPaddedInt(6),
         'original_year':        types.PaddedInt(4),
         'original_month':       types.PaddedInt(2),
         'original_day':         types.PaddedInt(2),