diff --git a/pcbnew/class_netclass.cpp b/pcbnew/class_netclass.cpp
index 2a4f45663f..37532adbf7 100644
--- a/pcbnew/class_netclass.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/class_netclass.cpp
@@ -101,9 +101,7 @@ bool NETCLASSES::Add( NETCLASSPTR aNetClass )
 
     if( name == NETCLASS::Default )
     {
-        // invoke operator=(), which is currently generated by compiler.
-        GetDefault() = aNetClass;
-
+        m_default = aNetClass;
         return true;
     }