diff --git a/src/xkb.cpp b/src/xkb.cpp
index e82de0a6c1..cb96207ba7 100644
--- a/src/xkb.cpp
+++ b/src/xkb.cpp
@@ -413,9 +413,9 @@ QString Xkb::layoutName() const
     return layoutName(m_currentLayout);
 }
 
-const QString &Xkb::layoutShortName(int index) const
+QString Xkb::layoutShortName(int index) const
 {
-    return m_layoutList.at(index);
+    return m_layoutList.value(index);
 }
 
 void Xkb::updateConsumedModifiers(uint32_t key)
diff --git a/src/xkb.h b/src/xkb.h
index e610d37ae6..11524cc028 100644
--- a/src/xkb.h
+++ b/src/xkb.h
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class KWIN_EXPORT Xkb : public QObject
     }
     QString layoutName(xkb_layout_index_t index) const;
     QString layoutName() const;
-    const QString &layoutShortName(int index) const;
+    QString layoutShortName(int index) const;
     quint32 numberOfLayouts() const;
 
     /**