diff --git a/include/boost/python/to_python_value.hpp b/include/boost/python/to_python_value.hpp
index 5ccd3134..f726ec9e 100644
--- a/include/boost/python/to_python_value.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/to_python_value.hpp
@@ -101,6 +101,11 @@ namespace detail
   template <class T>
   inline PyObject* registry_to_python_value<T>::operator()(argument_type x) const
   {
+      typedef converter::registered<argument_type> r;
+# if BOOST_WORKAROUND(__GNUC__, < 3)
+      // suppresses an ICE, somehow
+      (void)r::converters;
+# endif 
       return converter::registered<argument_type>::converters.to_python(&x);
   }