--- BDB/BDB.xs	2008/03/30 04:34:20	1.31
+++ BDB/BDB.xs	2008/03/30 04:36:51	1.32
@@ -962,7 +962,10 @@
   if (*mg->mg_ptr == '!') // should always be the case
     if (-30999 <= errno && errno <= -30800)
       {
+        sv_setnv (sv, (NV)errno);
         sv_setpv (sv, db_strerror (errno));
+        SvNOK_on (sv); /* what a wonderful hack! */
+                       // ^^^ copied from perl sources
         return 0;
       }