diff --git a/libraries/AP_Param/AP_Param.cpp b/libraries/AP_Param/AP_Param.cpp
index 42e47470ce..a8b683ad4f 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Param/AP_Param.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Param/AP_Param.cpp
@@ -3018,8 +3018,8 @@ bool AP_Param::add_param(uint8_t _key, uint8_t param_num, const char *pname, flo
     }
 
     // check CRC
-    auto &hinfo = const_cast<GroupInfo*>(info.group_info)[0];
-    const auto crc = to_int32(hinfo.def_value);
+    const auto &hinfo = const_cast<GroupInfo*>(info.group_info)[0];
+    const int32_t crc = to_int32(hinfo.def_value);
 
     int32_t current_crc;
     if (load_int32(key, 0, current_crc) && current_crc != crc) {