diff --git a/include/boost/concept_archetype.hpp b/include/boost/concept_archetype.hpp
index f21c817..e020dd7 100644
--- a/include/boost/concept_archetype.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/concept_archetype.hpp
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ namespace boost {
   //===========================================================================
   // Iterator Archetype Classes
 
-  template <class T, int I = 0>
+  template <class T, int I = 0, class RefBase = null_archetype<> >
   class input_iterator_archetype
   {
   private:
@@ -416,7 +416,8 @@ namespace boost {
   public:
     typedef std::input_iterator_tag iterator_category;
     typedef T value_type;
-    struct reference {
+    struct reference : public RefBase {
+      reference(detail::dummy_constructor d) : RefBase(d) { }
       operator const value_type&() const { return static_object<T>::get(); }
     };
     typedef const T* pointer;
@@ -424,7 +425,7 @@ namespace boost {
     self& operator=(const self&) { return *this;  }
     bool operator==(const self&) const { return true; }
     bool operator!=(const self&) const { return true; }
-    reference operator*() const { return reference(); }
+    const reference& operator*() const { return static_object<reference>::get(); }
     self& operator++() { return *this; }
     self operator++(int) { return *this; }
   };