diff --git a/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp b/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp
index 3226f92e46..7e29ce2ad0 100644
--- a/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp
+++ b/src/ScreenGameplay.cpp
@@ -1429,7 +1429,7 @@ void ScreenGameplay::PlayTicks()
 }
 
 /* Play announcer "type" if it's been at least fSeconds since the last announcer. */
-void ScreenGameplay::PlayAnnouncer( RString type, float fSeconds, float *fDeltaSeconds )
+void ScreenGameplay::PlayAnnouncer( const RString &type, float fSeconds, float *fDeltaSeconds )
 {
 	if( GAMESTATE->m_fOpponentHealthPercent == 0 )
 		return; // Shut the announcer up
diff --git a/src/ScreenGameplay.h b/src/ScreenGameplay.h
index ee2e4a58c4..182d12ed31 100644
--- a/src/ScreenGameplay.h
+++ b/src/ScreenGameplay.h
@@ -206,8 +206,8 @@ protected:
 	void GetMusicEndTiming( float &fSecondsToStartFadingOutMusic, float &fSecondsToStartTransitioningOut );
 	void LoadLights();
 	void PauseGame( bool bPause, GameController gc = GameController_Invalid );
-	void PlayAnnouncer( RString type, float fSeconds, float *fDeltaSeconds );
-	void PlayAnnouncer( RString type, float fSeconds ) { PlayAnnouncer(type, fSeconds, &m_fTimeSinceLastDancingComment) };
+	void PlayAnnouncer( const RString &type, float fSeconds, float *fDeltaSeconds );
+	void PlayAnnouncer( const RString &type, float fSeconds ) { PlayAnnouncer(type, fSeconds, &m_fTimeSinceLastDancingComment); }
 	void UpdateLights();
 	void SendCrossedMessages();
 	void BeginBackingOutFromGameplay();