diff --git a/lib/checkautovariables.cpp b/lib/checkautovariables.cpp
index 4c4b9e69135..c7e3b16e5ba 100644
--- a/lib/checkautovariables.cpp
+++ b/lib/checkautovariables.cpp
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ void CheckAutoVariables::checkVarLifetimeScope(const Token * start, const Token
                     errorReturnReference(tok, lt.errorPath, lt.inconclusive);
                     break;
                 }
-                if (isDeadTemporary(lt.token, nullptr, &mSettings->library)) {
+                if (isDeadTemporary(lt.token, nullptr, &mSettings->library) && lt.token->variable() && lt.token->variable()->isReference()) {
                     errorReturnTempReference(tok, lt.errorPath, lt.inconclusive);
                     break;
                 }