diff --git a/src/plugins/python/pythonsettings.cpp b/src/plugins/python/pythonsettings.cpp
index acb7a50ddd3..ab5f024765c 100644
--- a/src/plugins/python/pythonsettings.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/python/pythonsettings.cpp
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ QList<Interpreter> PythonSettings::detectPythonVenvs(const FilePath &path)
 void PythonSettings::saveSettings()
 {
     const QList<Interpreter> &interpreters = interpreterOptionsPage().interpreters();
-    const QString &defaultId = interpreterOptionsPage().defaultInterpreter().id;
+    const QString defaultId = interpreterOptionsPage().defaultInterpreter().id;
     toSettings(Core::ICore::settings(), {interpreters, defaultId});
     if (QTC_GUARD(settingsInstance))
         emit settingsInstance->interpretersChanged(interpreters, defaultId);