diff --git a/hpqtypes.cabal b/hpqtypes.cabal
--- a/hpqtypes.cabal
+++ b/hpqtypes.cabal
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name:                hpqtypes
-version:             1.2.3
+version:             1.2.4
 synopsis:            Haskell bindings to libpqtypes
 
 description:         Efficient and easy-to-use bindings to (slightly modified)
diff --git a/src/Database/PostgreSQL/PQTypes/Transaction.hs b/src/Database/PostgreSQL/PQTypes/Transaction.hs
--- a/src/Database/PostgreSQL/PQTypes/Transaction.hs
+++ b/src/Database/PostgreSQL/PQTypes/Transaction.hs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 
 import Control.Monad
 import Control.Monad.Catch
+import Data.String
 import Data.Typeable
 
 import Data.Monoid.Space
@@ -27,6 +28,9 @@
 
 -- | Wrapper that represents savepoint name.
 newtype Savepoint = Savepoint (RawSQL ())
+
+instance IsString Savepoint where
+  fromString = Savepoint . fromString
 
 -- | Create a savepoint and roll back to it if given monadic action throws.
 -- This may only be used if a transaction is already active. Note that it