diff --git a/src/kvm_websocket_test.cpp b/src/kvm_websocket_test.cpp
index 4016329..c01b7e5 100644
--- a/src/kvm_websocket_test.cpp
+++ b/src/kvm_websocket_test.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
                 c.close();
                 break;
             }
-            catch (std::exception e)
+            catch (const std::exception& e)
             {
                 // do nothing.  We expect this to fail while the server is
                 // starting up
@@ -111,4 +111,4 @@
     EXPECT_EQ(open_string, "RFB 003.008");
 
     app.stop();
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}