diff --git a/item_updater.cpp b/item_updater.cpp
index dda7a8d..34096df 100644
--- a/item_updater.cpp
+++ b/item_updater.cpp
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@
     }
 }
 
-void ItemUpdater::createActiveAssociation(std::string path)
+void ItemUpdater::createActiveAssociation(const std::string& path)
 {
     assocs.emplace_back(std::make_tuple(ACTIVE_FWD_ASSOCIATION,
                                         ACTIVE_REV_ASSOCIATION,
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@
     associations(assocs);
 }
 
-void ItemUpdater::removeActiveAssociation(std::string path)
+void ItemUpdater::removeActiveAssociation(const std::string& path)
 {
     for (auto iter = assocs.begin(); iter != assocs.end();)
     {
diff --git a/item_updater.hpp b/item_updater.hpp
index 09d0638..4b7ddd5 100644
--- a/item_updater.hpp
+++ b/item_updater.hpp
@@ -90,13 +90,13 @@
      *
      * @param[in]  path - The path to create the association to.
      */
-    void createActiveAssociation(std::string path);
+    void createActiveAssociation(const std::string& path);
 
     /** @brief Removes an active association to the software image
      *
      * @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.