diff --git a/C4/Members.pm b/C4/Members.pm
index 5f88ab3c3e..5cc88abb0c 100644
--- a/C4/Members.pm
+++ b/C4/Members.pm
@@ -259,7 +259,10 @@ sub fixup_cardnumber ($) {
 		
 			$cardnumber="V$cardnumber$rem";
 		} else {
-			my $sth=$dbh->prepare("select max(borrowers.cardnumber) from borrowers");
+			# MODIFIED BY JF: mysql4.1 allows casting as an integer, which is probably
+			# better. I'll leave the original in in case it needs to be changed for you
+			my $sth=$dbh->prepare("select max(cast(cardnumber as signed)) from borrowers");
+			#my $sth=$dbh->prepare("select max(borrowers.cardnumber) from borrowers");
 			$sth->execute;
 		
 			my ($result)=$sth->fetchrow;