diff --git a/include/rapidjson/document.h b/include/rapidjson/document.h
index e2cc60006..1cdc29c08 100644
--- a/include/rapidjson/document.h
+++ b/include/rapidjson/document.h
@@ -1235,8 +1235,8 @@ class GenericValue {
             // return NullValue;
 
             // Use static buffer and placement-new to prevent destruction
-            static char buffer[sizeof(GenericValue)];
-            return *new (buffer) GenericValue();
+            static GenericValue buffer;
+            return *new (reinterpret_cast<char *>(&buffer)) GenericValue();
         }
     }
     template <typename SourceAllocator>