diff --git a/src/parser3.h b/src/parser3.h
index 17cbc57..63053d2 100644
--- a/src/parser3.h
+++ b/src/parser3.h
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ scan_string(Parser3 *self, char *&buf, char *bufEnd) {
       self, buf, bufEnd);
 }
 #else
-inline PRESERVE_NONE WeaselJsonStatus scan_string(Parser3 *self, char *buf,
+inline PRESERVE_NONE WeaselJsonStatus scan_string(Parser3 *self, char *&buf,
                                                   char *bufEnd) {
   MUSTTAIL return scan_string_impl<simd<int8_t, 32>>(self, buf, bufEnd);
 }