diff --git a/lemon/suurballe.h b/lemon/suurballe.h
--- a/lemon/suurballe.h
+++ b/lemon/suurballe.h
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@
     ///
     /// \pre \ref run() or \ref findPaths() must be called before using
     /// this function.
-    Path path(int i) const {
+    const Path& path(int i) const {
       return paths[i];
     }