diff --git a/include/trick/Executive.hh b/include/trick/Executive.hh
index 3e08450d..08b4073c 100644
--- a/include/trick/Executive.hh
+++ b/include/trick/Executive.hh
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ namespace Trick {
              @code <my_char*> = trick.exec_get_current_version() @endcode
              @return string (C const char*) Executive::current_version
             */
-            std::string get_current_version() ;
+            const std::string & get_current_version() ;
 
             /**
              @userdesc Command to get the debugger command value.
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ namespace Trick {
              @code <my_char*> = trick.exec_get_debugger_command() @endcode
              @return string (C const char*) Executive::debugger_command
             */
-            std::string get_debugger_command() ;
+            const std::string & get_debugger_command() ;
 
             /**
              @userdesc Command to get the current Executive Mode command.
diff --git a/trick_source/sim_services/Executive/Executive.cpp b/trick_source/sim_services/Executive/Executive.cpp
index 939dd613..a9ea32dc 100644
--- a/trick_source/sim_services/Executive/Executive.cpp
+++ b/trick_source/sim_services/Executive/Executive.cpp
@@ -144,11 +144,11 @@ bool Trick::Executive::get_attach_debugger() {
     return(attach_debugger) ;
 }
 
-std::string Trick::Executive::get_current_version() {
+const std::string & Trick::Executive::get_current_version() {
     return(current_version) ;
 }
 
-std::string Trick::Executive::get_debugger_command() {
+const std::string & Trick::Executive::get_debugger_command() {
     return(debugger_command) ;
 }