diff --git a/item_updater.hpp b/item_updater.hpp
index 1c65a1c..3c8698f 100755
--- a/item_updater.hpp
+++ b/item_updater.hpp
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
          *
          * @param[in]  path - The path to create the association to.
          */
-        void createActiveAssociation(std::string path);
+        void createActiveAssociation(const std::string& path);
 
         /** @brief Updates the functional association to the
          *  new "running" PNOR image
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
          *
          * @param[in]  path - The path to remove the association from.
          */
-        void removeActiveAssociation(std::string path);
+        void removeActiveAssociation(const std::string& path);
 
     private:
         /** @brief Callback function for Software.Version match.