diff --git a/include/soci/soci-backend.h b/include/soci/soci-backend.h
index 007970cbe..df27dd26f 100644
--- a/include/soci/soci-backend.h
+++ b/include/soci/soci-backend.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ enum db_type
 enum data_type
 {
     dt_string, dt_date, dt_double, dt_integer, dt_long_long, dt_unsigned_long_long,
-    dt_blob, dt_xml
+    dt_blob, dt_xml, dt_wstring
 };
 
 // the enum type for indicator variables
@@ -108,8 +108,7 @@ inline db_type to_db_type(data_type dt)
         case dt_unsigned_long_long: return db_uint64;
         case dt_blob:               return db_blob;
         case dt_xml:                return db_xml;
-        default:
-            throw soci_error("unsupported data_type");
+        case dt_wstring:            return db_wstring;
     }
 
     // unreachable
@@ -264,6 +263,7 @@ class statement_backend
         switch (dbt)
         {
             case db_string:  return dt_string;
+            case db_wstring: return dt_wstring;
             case db_date:    return dt_date;
             case db_double:  return dt_double;
             case db_int8:
@@ -276,8 +276,6 @@ class statement_backend
             case db_uint64:  return dt_unsigned_long_long;
             case db_blob:    return dt_blob;
             case db_xml:     return dt_xml;
-            default:
-                throw soci_error("unable to convert value to data_type");
         }
 
         // unreachable