diff --git a/types.hpp b/types.hpp
index f8a683d1..e40d07d0 100644
--- a/types.hpp
+++ b/types.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <string>
 #include <limits>
+#include <memory>
 
 template <int BITS>
 struct bits_type;
@@ -130,4 +131,11 @@ T hton (T);
 template <typename T>
 T ntoh (T);
 
+
+template <typename T, typename ...Args>
+std::unique_ptr<T>
+make_unique (const Args &...args)
+    { return std::unique_ptr<T> (new T (args...)); }
+
+
 #endif // __TYPES_HPP