diff --git a/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.cpp b/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.cpp
index c6ea9f6..a25311c 100644
--- a/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.cpp
+++ b/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.cpp
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
 }
 
 void jsonInsert(std::string& jsonStr, const std::string& fieldName,
-                std::string& fieldValue, uint8_t indentCount)
+                std::string fieldValue, uint8_t indentCount)
 {
     const int8_t spacesToAppend =
         colAlign - (indentCount * indentLevel) - fieldName.length() - 3;