diff --git a/src/d3d9/d3d9_device.h b/src/d3d9/d3d9_device.h
index 1e3750e69bc..7b4a7c52ed9 100644
--- a/src/d3d9/d3d9_device.h
+++ b/src/d3d9/d3d9_device.h
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ namespace dxvk {
 
     HWND GetWindow();
 
-    Rc<DxvkDevice> GetDXVKDevice() {
+    const Rc<DxvkDevice>& GetDXVKDevice() {
       return m_dxvkDevice;
     }