diff --git a/include/behaviortree_cpp/basic_types.h b/include/behaviortree_cpp/basic_types.h
index de7d34779..2b5720618 100644
--- a/include/behaviortree_cpp/basic_types.h
+++ b/include/behaviortree_cpp/basic_types.h
@@ -127,6 +127,8 @@ std::string toStr(T value)
     return std::to_string(value);
 }
 
+std::string toStr(std::string value);
+
 template<> std::string toStr<BT::NodeStatus>(BT::NodeStatus status);
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/basic_types.cpp b/src/basic_types.cpp
index 9c7721ead..451e3da0f 100644
--- a/src/basic_types.cpp
+++ b/src/basic_types.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@ std::string toStr<NodeStatus>(NodeStatus status)
     return "";
 }
 
+std::string toStr(std::string value)
+{
+  return value;
+}
+
 std::string toStr(NodeStatus status, bool colored)
 {
     if (!colored)