diff --git a/pcbnew/import_gfx/dxf_import_plugin.h b/pcbnew/import_gfx/dxf_import_plugin.h
index d4f8a74929..3e339bd63b 100644
--- a/pcbnew/import_gfx/dxf_import_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/import_gfx/dxf_import_plugin.h
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ public:
     /**
      * @return the list of messages in one string. Each message ends by '\n'
      */
-    const wxString& GetMessages() const override
+    wxString GetMessages() const override
     {
         return m_messages;
     }
diff --git a/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_import_plugin.h b/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_import_plugin.h
index ff21fc8f74..f146f2bc59 100644
--- a/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_import_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_import_plugin.h
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ public:
      *
      * @return the list of messages in one string. Each message ends by '\n'
      */
-    const virtual wxString& GetMessages() const = 0;
+    virtual wxString GetMessages() const = 0;
 
 protected:
     ///> Importer used to create objects representing the imported shapes.
diff --git a/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_importer.h b/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_importer.h
index a9b8d7a8c0..1ed2b10181 100644
--- a/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_importer.h
+++ b/pcbnew/import_gfx/graphics_importer.h
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ public:
      *
      * @return the list of messages in one string. Each message ends by '\n'
      */
-    const wxString& GetMessages() const
+    wxString GetMessages() const
     {
         return m_plugin->GetMessages();
     }
diff --git a/pcbnew/import_gfx/svg_import_plugin.h b/pcbnew/import_gfx/svg_import_plugin.h
index b1371b61ee..d4b1739613 100644
--- a/pcbnew/import_gfx/svg_import_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/import_gfx/svg_import_plugin.h
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public:
     /**
      * @return the list of messages in one string. Each message ends by '\n'
      */
-    const wxString& GetMessages() const override
+    wxString GetMessages() const override
     {
         return m_messages;
     }