diff --git a/include/tclap/ArgException.h b/include/tclap/ArgException.h
index 9923f00..51cc266 100644
--- a/include/tclap/ArgException.h
+++ b/include/tclap/ArgException.h
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ class ArgException : public std::exception
 		 */
 		const char* what() const throw() 
 		{
-			std::string ex = _argId + " -- " + _errorText;
+			static std::string ex; 
+			ex = _argId + " -- " + _errorText;
 			return ex.c_str();
 		}