diff --git a/messages/message.h b/messages/message.h
index 3a017c8e9..993dc6ed0 100644
--- a/messages/message.h
+++ b/messages/message.h
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ public:
         return displayName;
     }
 
-    const std::vector<Word>
+    const std::vector<Word> &
     getWords() const
     {
         return words;
     }
 
-    const std::vector<WordPart>
+    const std::vector<WordPart> &
     getWordParts() const
     {
         return wordParts;