diff --git a/point.hpp b/point.hpp
index 4967cb6f..f7091094 100644
--- a/point.hpp
+++ b/point.hpp
@@ -34,6 +34,17 @@ namespace util {
     {
         using coord::base<S,T,point<S,T>>::base;
 
+        // use a forwarding assignment operator so that we can let the base
+        // take care of the many different types of parameters. otherwise we
+        // have to deal with scalar, vector, initializer_list, ad nauseum.
+        template <typename Arg>
+        point&
+        operator= (Arg&&arg)
+        {
+            coord::base<S,T,point<S,T>>::operator=(std::forward<Arg> (arg));
+            return *this;
+        }
+
         vector<S,T> to (point dst) const { return dst - *this; }
         vector<S,T> from (point src) const { return *this - src; }