diff --git a/python/core/qgis.sip b/python/core/qgis.sip
index fcef00d8bee6..6ef62c5a988c 100644
--- a/python/core/qgis.sip
+++ b/python/core/qgis.sip
@@ -70,14 +70,19 @@ public:
   //! description strings for feature types
   //static const char *qgisFeatureTypes[];
 
-  //! map units that qgis supports
+  /** Map units that qgis supports
+   * @note that QGIS < 1.4 api had only Meters, Feet, Degrees and UnknownUnit
+   */
   enum UnitType
   {
-    Meters,
-    Feet,
-    Degrees,
-    UnknownUnit
-  };
+    Meters = 0,
+    Feet = 1,
+    Degrees = 2, //for 1.0 api backwards compatibility
+    DecimalDegrees = 2,
+    DegreesMinutesSeconds = 4,
+    DegreesDecimalMinutes = 5,
+    UnknownUnit = 3
+  } ;
 
   //! User defined event types
   enum UserEvent