diff --git a/include/wx/string.h b/include/wx/string.h
index 724ac878d1..6e9003595b 100644
--- a/include/wx/string.h
+++ b/include/wx/string.h
@@ -243,6 +243,9 @@ class WXDLLIMPEXP_BASE wxStringBase
 #if !wxUSE_STL
 friend class WXDLLIMPEXP_BASE wxArrayString;
 #endif
+public :
+  // an 'invalid' value for string index, moved to this place due to a CW bug
+  static const size_t npos;
 protected:
   // points to data preceded by wxStringData structure with ref count info
   wxChar *m_pchData;
@@ -291,9 +294,6 @@ public:
   typedef value_type *iterator;
   typedef const value_type *const_iterator;
 
-  // an 'invalid' value for string index
-  static const size_t npos;
-
   // constructors and destructor
     // ctor for an empty string
   wxStringBase() { Init(); }