diff --git a/database.hh b/database.hh
index 7d60c5c236..ed09bd0a81 100644
--- a/database.hh
+++ b/database.hh
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@
 
 using bytes = basic_sstring<uint8_t, uint32_t, 31>;
 
+// FIXME: should be int8_t
+using bytes = basic_sstring<char, uint32_t, 31>;
+
 struct row {
     std::vector<boost::any> cells;
 };