diff --git a/src/util/ssa_expr.h b/src/util/ssa_expr.h
index 446e82169d6..36e5a946ea7 100644
--- a/src/util/ssa_expr.h
+++ b/src/util/ssa_expr.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class ssa_exprt:public symbol_exprt
     return static_cast<const exprt &>(find(ID_expression));
   }
 
-  const irep_idt &get_object_name() const
+  irep_idt get_object_name() const
   {
     object_descriptor_exprt ode;
     ode.object()=get_original_expr();