diff --git a/include/osg/Referenced b/include/osg/Referenced
index 04df06ae1..99901a196 100644
--- a/include/osg/Referenced
+++ b/include/osg/Referenced
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class SG_EXPORT Referenced
             _refCount=0;
         }
 
-        inline Referenced& operator = (Referenced&) { return *this; }
+        inline Referenced& operator = (const Referenced&) { return *this; }
 
         friend class DeleteHandler;