diff --git a/panda/src/display/displayRegion.cxx b/panda/src/display/displayRegion.cxx
index d3e53a8d39..e38c7d1921 100644
--- a/panda/src/display/displayRegion.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/display/displayRegion.cxx
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ set_camera(const NodePath &camera) {
 //               DisplayRegion, or an empty NodePath if no camera is
 //               associated.
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-const NodePath &DisplayRegion::
+NodePath DisplayRegion::
 get_camera() const {
   MutexHolder holder(_lock);
   return _camera;
diff --git a/panda/src/display/displayRegion.h b/panda/src/display/displayRegion.h
index 50144c8a41..692190c5b7 100644
--- a/panda/src/display/displayRegion.h
+++ b/panda/src/display/displayRegion.h
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ PUBLISHED:
   GraphicsPipe *get_pipe() const;
 
   void set_camera(const NodePath &camera);
-  const NodePath &get_camera() const;
+  NodePath get_camera() const;
 
   void set_active(bool active);
   INLINE bool is_active() const;