diff --git a/include/mapnik/geometry/box2d.hpp b/include/mapnik/geometry/box2d.hpp
index dc5fd4666..b858a9aa9 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/geometry/box2d.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/geometry/box2d.hpp
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ MAPNIK_DISABLE_WARNING_PUSH
 #include <boost/operators.hpp>
 MAPNIK_DISABLE_WARNING_POP
 
+// stl
+#include <string>
+
 // agg
 // forward declare so that apps using mapnik do not need agg headers
 namespace agg {