diff --git a/simgear/io/sg_netChat.cxx b/simgear/io/sg_netChat.cxx
index 0559c09b..d445e443 100644
--- a/simgear/io/sg_netChat.cxx
+++ b/simgear/io/sg_netChat.cxx
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@ NetChat::setTerminator(const std::string& t)
   bytesToCollect = -1;
 }
 
-const std::string&
+const char*
 NetChat::getTerminator() const
 {
-  return terminator;
+  return terminator.c_str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/simgear/io/sg_netChat.hxx b/simgear/io/sg_netChat.hxx
index bc6ef656..6b227f89 100644
--- a/simgear/io/sg_netChat.hxx
+++ b/simgear/io/sg_netChat.hxx
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public:
   {}
 
   void setTerminator(const std::string& t);
-  const std::string& getTerminator() const;
+  const char* getTerminator() const;
 
   /**
    * set byte count to collect - 'foundTerminator' will be called once