diff --git a/src/base/bitfield.hh b/src/base/bitfield.hh
index 1ec684f806..470941ac4b 100644
--- a/src/base/bitfield.hh
+++ b/src/base/bitfield.hh
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ replaceBits(T& val, unsigned bit, B bit_val)
  * @ingroup api_bitfield
  */
 template <class T>
-std::enable_if_t<std::is_integral<T>::value, T>
+std::enable_if_t<std::is_integral<T>::value && sizeof(T) != 1, T>
 reverseBits(T val, size_t size=sizeof(T))
 {
     assert(size <= sizeof(T));
@@ -223,6 +223,14 @@ reverseBits(T val, size_t size=sizeof(T))
     return output;
 }
 
+template <class T>
+std::enable_if_t<std::is_integral<T>::value && sizeof(T) == 1, T>
+reverseBits(T val, size_t size=sizeof(T))
+{
+    assert(size == 1);
+    return reverseBitsLookUpTable[val];
+}
+
 /**
  * Returns the bit position of the MSB that is set in the input
  *