diff --git a/base/channels.jl b/base/channels.jl
index 784a7d6de9781f..4d1833d360fd2e 100644
--- a/base/channels.jl
+++ b/base/channels.jl
@@ -246,9 +246,10 @@ Append an item `v` to the channel `c`. Blocks if the channel is full.
 For unbuffered channels, blocks until a [`take!`](@ref) is performed by a different
 task.
 """
-function put!(c::Channel, v)
+function put!(c::Channel{T}, v) where T
     check_channel_state(c)
-    isbuffered(c) ? put_buffered(c,v) : put_unbuffered(c,v)
+    vT = convert(T, v)
+    isbuffered(c) ? put_buffered(c,vT) : put_unbuffered(c,vT)
 end
 
 function put_buffered(c::Channel, v)