diff --git a/src/gamestate.cpp b/src/gamestate.cpp
index 3b9b973..878b993 100644
--- a/src/gamestate.cpp
+++ b/src/gamestate.cpp
@@ -184,8 +184,8 @@ bool GameState::moveThrownCardToFoundation(int foundationId) {
 bool GameState::moveColumnCardToColumn(int fromColumnId, int toColumnId, int fromCardIndex) {
     assert(fromColumnId >= 0 && fromColumnId < 7);
     assert(toColumnId >= 0 && toColumnId < 7);
-    auto fromColumnStack = m_columns[fromColumnId];
-    auto toColumnStack = m_columns[toColumnId];
+    auto& fromColumnStack = m_columns[fromColumnId];
+    auto& toColumnStack = m_columns[toColumnId];
 
     if (fromColumnStack.isEmpty()) {
         qWarning() << "Attempted to move card(s) to column from an empty column";