diff --git a/fixed.cpp b/fixed.cpp
index 55de8b07..bc20e843 100644
--- a/fixed.cpp
+++ b/fixed.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,12 @@ fixed<INT, FRAC>::to_integral (void) const
     { return m_value >> FRAC; }
 
 
+template <unsigned int INT, unsigned int FRAC>
+typename fixed<INT, FRAC>::combined_type
+fixed<INT, FRAC>::to_native (void) const
+    { return m_value; }
+
+
 /*
  * Integral operators
  */
diff --git a/fixed.hpp b/fixed.hpp
index c9dc1d0c..56c08cab 100644
--- a/fixed.hpp
+++ b/fixed.hpp
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ namespace util {
             double        to_double   (void) const;
             float         to_float    (void) const;
             integral_type to_integral (void) const;
+            combined_type to_native   (void) const;
 
             fixed<INT, FRAC>& operator +=(const fixed<INT, FRAC>);
             fixed<INT, FRAC>& operator -=(const fixed<INT, FRAC>);