diff --git a/include/boost/gil/pixel.hpp b/include/boost/gil/pixel.hpp
index 381bc8315..8889a2548 100644
--- a/include/boost/gil/pixel.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/gil/pixel.hpp
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ struct pixel :
     void assign(Channel const& channel, std::false_type)
     {
         check_gray();
-        gil::at_c<0>(*this) = channel;
+        gil::at_c<0>(*this) = static_cast<typename channel_t::base_channel_t>( channel );
     }
 
     template <typename Channel>