diff --git a/torchvision/prototype/transforms/functional/_color.py b/torchvision/prototype/transforms/functional/_color.py
index 742b344cf71..cc7f9654b8c 100644
--- a/torchvision/prototype/transforms/functional/_color.py
+++ b/torchvision/prototype/transforms/functional/_color.py
@@ -295,7 +295,15 @@ def adjust_gamma(inpt: features.InputTypeJIT, gamma: float, gain: float = 1) ->
         return adjust_gamma_image_pil(inpt, gamma=gamma, gain=gain)
 
 
-posterize_image_tensor = _FT.posterize
+def posterize_image_tensor(image: torch.Tensor, bits: int) -> torch.Tensor:
+    if image.dtype != torch.uint8:
+        raise TypeError(f"Only torch.uint8 image tensors are supported, but found {image.dtype}")
+
+    # JIT-friendly for: ~(2 ** (8 - bits) - 1)
+    mask = -int(2 ** (8 - bits))
+    return image & mask
+
+
 posterize_image_pil = _FP.posterize