diff --git a/bson/bson.h b/bson/bson.h
index 78f3121dd77..9f611bc32e3 100644
--- a/bson/bson.h
+++ b/bson/bson.h
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ namespace mongo {
     }
 #endif
 #if !defined(uassert)
-    inline void uassert(unsigned msgid, const char *msg, bool expr) {
+    inline void uassert(unsigned msgid, std::string msg, bool expr) {
         if( !expr )
             throw bson::assertion();
     }