diff --git a/modules/matlab/generator/gen_matlab.py b/modules/matlab/generator/gen_matlab.py
index 2b317a6782..b132a819db 100644
--- a/modules/matlab/generator/gen_matlab.py
+++ b/modules/matlab/generator/gen_matlab.py
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ class MatlabWrapperGenerator(object):
         jtemplate.filters['void'] = void 
         jtemplate.filters['not'] = flip
 
-
         # load the templates
         tfunction  = jtemplate.get_template('template_function_base.cpp')
         tclassm    = jtemplate.get_template('template_class_base.m')
diff --git a/modules/matlab/generator/templates/template_map_base.cpp b/modules/matlab/generator/templates/template_map_base.cpp
index 0d39d7165f..791b2c93a3 100644
--- a/modules/matlab/generator/templates/template_map_base.cpp
+++ b/modules/matlab/generator/templates/template_map_base.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ typedef std::unordered_map Map;
  */
 Map<std::string, int> constants = {
   {% for key, val in constants.items() %}
+  {% if val|convertibleToInt %}
   { "{{key}}", {{val}} },
+  {% else %}
+  { "{{key}}", {{constants[val]}} },
+  {% endif %}
   {% endfor %}
 };