diff --git a/common/tool/tool_manager.cpp b/common/tool/tool_manager.cpp
index 49039f85f9..47d9413480 100644
--- a/common/tool/tool_manager.cpp
+++ b/common/tool/tool_manager.cpp
@@ -835,7 +835,7 @@ std::string TOOL_MANAGER::GetClipboard() const
 }
 
 
-KIGFX::VC_SETTINGS TOOL_MANAGER::GetCurrentToolVC() const
+const KIGFX::VC_SETTINGS& TOOL_MANAGER::GetCurrentToolVC() const
 {
     if( TOOL_STATE* active = GetCurrentToolState() )
         return active->vcSettings;
diff --git a/include/tool/tool_manager.h b/include/tool/tool_manager.h
index f6b008cc8c..971dffa81e 100644
--- a/include/tool/tool_manager.h
+++ b/include/tool/tool_manager.h
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ public:
      * Returns the view controls settings for the current tool or the general settings if there is
      * no active tool.
      */
-    KIGFX::VC_SETTINGS& GetCurrentToolVC() const;
+    const KIGFX::VC_SETTINGS& GetCurrentToolVC() const;
 
 private:
     typedef std::pair<TOOL_EVENT_LIST, TOOL_STATE_FUNC> TRANSITION;