diff --git a/src/lib/ebus/data.h b/src/lib/ebus/data.h
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 9015979d..66b9c395
--- a/src/lib/ebus/data.h
+++ b/src/lib/ebus/data.h
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class AttributedItem {
    * Get the item name.
    * @return the item name.
    */
-  string getName() const { return m_name; }
+  const string& getName() const { return m_name; }
 
   /**
    * Get a named attribute.