diff --git a/include/sqlpp11/column.h b/include/sqlpp11/column.h
index 3acd42e3..bd2a8671 100644
--- a/include/sqlpp11/column.h
+++ b/include/sqlpp11/column.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
  * SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 
+#include <sqlpp11/enable_as.h>
 #include <sqlpp11/operator/as_expression.h>
 #include <sqlpp11/operator/assign_expression.h>
 #include <sqlpp11/column_fwd.h>
@@ -39,7 +40,8 @@ namespace sqlpp
 {
 #warning: need to reactivate column operators?
   template <typename Table, typename ColumnSpec>
-  struct column_t// : public expression_operators<column_t<Table, ColumnSpec>, typename ColumnSpec::value_type>,
+  struct column_t : public enable_as<column_t<Table, ColumnSpec>>
+                    // : public expression_operators<column_t<Table, ColumnSpec>, typename ColumnSpec::value_type>,
                  //   public column_operators<column_t<Table, ColumnSpec>, typename ColumnSpec::value_type>
   {
     struct _traits
@@ -69,12 +71,6 @@ namespace sqlpp
       return _table{};
     }
 
-    template <typename AliasProvider>
-    auto as(const AliasProvider& alias_provider) const -> as_expression<column_t, AliasProvider>
-    {
-      return as(*this, alias_provider);
-    }
-
     sqlpp::compat::optional<column_t> if_(bool condition) const
     {
       return condition ? sqlpp::compat::make_optional(*this) : sqlpp::compat::nullopt;
diff --git a/include/sqlpp11/enable_as.h b/include/sqlpp11/enable_as.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c54f3152
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/sqlpp11/enable_as.h
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#pragma once
+
+/*
+Copyright (c) 2024, Roland Bock
+All rights reserved.
+
+Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
+are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+
+1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
+   list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+
+2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this
+   list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or
+   other materials provided with the distribution.
+
+THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
+ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR
+ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
+(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
+LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
+ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
+SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+*/
+
+#include <sqlpp11/operator/as_expression.h>
+#include <sqlpp11/type_traits.h>
+
+namespace sqlpp
+{
+  // To be used as CRTP base for expressions that should offer the as() member function.
+  template <typename Expr>
+  class enable_as
+  {
+    constexpr decltype(auto) derived() const
+    {
+      return static_cast<const Expr&>(*this);
+    }
+
+  public:
+    template <typename AliasProvider>
+    constexpr auto as(const AliasProvider& alias) const
+    {
+      return ::sqlpp::as(this->derived(), alias);
+    }
+  };
+
+}  // namespace sqlpp