diff --git a/dht/boot_strapper.cc b/dht/boot_strapper.cc
index a568a1493a..d285d4a7b6 100644
--- a/dht/boot_strapper.cc
+++ b/dht/boot_strapper.cc
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ future<> boot_strapper::bootstrap() {
 
 }
 
-std::unordered_set<token> boot_strapper::get_bootstrap_tokens(token_metadata metadata, database& db) {
+std::unordered_set<token> boot_strapper::get_bootstrap_tokens(const token_metadata& metadata, database& db) {
     auto initial_tokens = db.get_initial_tokens();
     // if user specified tokens, use those
     if (initial_tokens.size() > 0) {
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ std::unordered_set<token> boot_strapper::get_bootstrap_tokens(token_metadata met
     return tokens;
 }
 
-std::unordered_set<token> boot_strapper::get_random_tokens(token_metadata metadata, size_t num_tokens) {
+std::unordered_set<token> boot_strapper::get_random_tokens(const token_metadata& metadata, size_t num_tokens) {
     std::unordered_set<token> tokens;
     while (tokens.size() < num_tokens) {
         auto token = dht::token::get_random_token();
diff --git a/dht/boot_strapper.hh b/dht/boot_strapper.hh
index 67122f7bd2..c07226915a 100644
--- a/dht/boot_strapper.hh
+++ b/dht/boot_strapper.hh
@@ -73,9 +73,9 @@ public:
      * otherwise, if num_tokens == 1, pick a token to assume half the load of the most-loaded node.
      * else choose num_tokens tokens at random
      */
-    static std::unordered_set<token> get_bootstrap_tokens(token_metadata metadata, database& db);
+    static std::unordered_set<token> get_bootstrap_tokens(const token_metadata& metadata, database& db);
 
-    static std::unordered_set<token> get_random_tokens(token_metadata metadata, size_t num_tokens);
+    static std::unordered_set<token> get_random_tokens(const token_metadata& metadata, size_t num_tokens);
 #if 0
     public static class StringSerializer implements IVersionedSerializer<String>
     {