diff --git a/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp b/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp
index 2dea54531a..492f65cffc 100644
--- a/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp
@@ -799,10 +799,10 @@ bool PacketList::contextMenuActive()
     return ctx_column_ >= 0 ? true : false;
 }
 
-const QString &PacketList::getFilterFromRowAndColumn()
+QString PacketList::getFilterFromRowAndColumn()
 {
     frame_data *fdata;
-    QString &filter = *new QString();
+    QString filter;
     int row = currentIndex().row();
 
     if (!cap_file_ || !packet_list_model_ || ctx_column_ < 0 || ctx_column_ >= cap_file_->cinfo.num_cols) return filter;
diff --git a/ui/qt/packet_list.h b/ui/qt/packet_list.h
index 65195f5087..3ffc5f88af 100644
--- a/ui/qt/packet_list.h
+++ b/ui/qt/packet_list.h
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public:
     void clear();
     void writeRecent(FILE *rf);
     bool contextMenuActive();
-    const QString &getFilterFromRowAndColumn();
+    QString getFilterFromRowAndColumn();
     void resetColorized();
     QString packetComment();
     void setPacketComment(QString new_comment);