diff --git a/index/fragment_container.go b/index/fragment_container.go
index eb850a138..17045d219 100644
--- a/index/fragment_container.go
+++ b/index/fragment_container.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package index
 
 import (
+	"encoding/gob"
 	"errors"
 	"log"
 	. "pilosa/util"
@@ -19,6 +20,11 @@ func NewFragmentContainer() *FragmentContainer {
 
 type BitmapHandle uint64
 
+func init() {
+	var vh BitmapHandle
+	gob.Register(vh)
+}
+
 func (self *FragmentContainer) GetFragment(frag_id SUUID) (*Fragment, bool) {
 	//lock
 	c, v := self.fragments[frag_id]