diff --git a/include/wx/generic/datectrl.h b/include/wx/generic/datectrl.h
index e6b97d405d..e7e9ffb36b 100644
--- a/include/wx/generic/datectrl.h
+++ b/include/wx/generic/datectrl.h
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public:
                       const wxDateTime& upperdate = wxDefaultDateTime);
 
     // extra methods available only in this (generic) implementation
-    bool SetFormat(const wxChar *fmt);
+    bool SetFormat(const wxString& fmt);
     wxCalendarCtrl *GetCalendar() const { return m_cal; }
 
 
diff --git a/src/generic/datectlg.cpp b/src/generic/datectlg.cpp
index cac86b2505..6527a991b6 100644
--- a/src/generic/datectlg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/datectlg.cpp
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ public:
 
         wxPoint yearPosition = yearControl->GetPosition();
 
-        SetFormat(wxT("%x"));
+        SetFormat("%x");
 
         width = yearPosition.x + yearSize.x+2+CALBORDER/2;
         if (width < calSize.x-4)
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ private:
         return m_combo->GetParent()->HasFlag(flag);
     }
 
-    bool SetFormat(const wxChar *fmt)
+    bool SetFormat(const wxString& fmt)
     {
         m_format.clear();