diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/mdl/MDLReader.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/mdl/MDLReader.cpp
index 85c7c3abf..2667be23a 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/mdl/MDLReader.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/mdl/MDLReader.cpp
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ ref_ptr<StateSet> MDLReader::readMaterialFile(std::string materialName)
         material->setEmission(Material::FRONT_AND_BACK,
                               Vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0) );
         material->setAlpha(Material::FRONT_AND_BACK, alpha);
-        stateSet->setAttributeAndModes(material, StateAttribute::ON);
+        stateSet->setAttributeAndModes(material.get(), StateAttribute::ON);
 
         // Add the texture attribute (or disable texturing if no base texture)
         if (texture != NULL)