diff --git a/gluon/sqlhtml.py b/gluon/sqlhtml.py
index 49fe24c4..ba7bf702 100644
--- a/gluon/sqlhtml.py
+++ b/gluon/sqlhtml.py
@@ -1668,6 +1668,9 @@ class SQLFORM(FORM):
             elif field.type == 'double':
                 if value is not None:
                     fields[fieldname] = safe_float(value)
+            elif field.type in ('string', 'text'):
+                if fieldname in self.request_vars:
+                    fields[fieldname] = self.request_vars[fieldname]
 
         for fieldname in self.vars:
             if fieldname != 'id' and fieldname in self.table.fields\