diff --git a/src/reports.cpp b/src/reports.cpp
index 43db68a049b..a99e828823f 100644
--- a/src/reports.cpp
+++ b/src/reports.cpp
@@ -347,8 +347,8 @@ static config unit_alignment(const unit* u)
 {
 	if (!u) return report();
 	std::ostringstream str, tooltip;
-	std::string align = unit_type::alignment_description(u->alignment(), u->gender());
-	std::string align_id = lexical_cast<std::string>(u->alignment());
+	const std::string align = unit_type::alignment_description(u->alignment(), u->gender());
+	const std::string align_id = lexical_cast<std::string>(u->alignment());
 	int cm = combat_modifier(resources::screen->displayed_unit_hex(), u->alignment(),
 			u->is_fearless());
 
diff --git a/src/unit_types.hpp b/src/unit_types.hpp
index 4aa03e9849b..b4e18f8c06a 100644
--- a/src/unit_types.hpp
+++ b/src/unit_types.hpp
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ public:
 	)
 
 	ALIGNMENT alignment() const { return alignment_; }
-	inline static std::string alignment_description(ALIGNMENT align, unit_race::GENDER gender = unit_race::MALE)
+	inline static const std::string alignment_description(ALIGNMENT align, unit_race::GENDER gender = unit_race::MALE)
 	{
 		std::string str = std::string();
 		if (gender == unit_race::FEMALE) {