diff --git a/cql3/prepare_context.cc b/cql3/prepare_context.cc
index 10366ec788..4990aa8b7b 100644
--- a/cql3/prepare_context.cc
+++ b/cql3/prepare_context.cc
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ size_t prepare_context::bound_variables_size() const {
     return _variable_names.size();
 }
 
-std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>> prepare_context::get_variable_specifications() const & {
-    return std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>>(_specs.begin(), _specs.end());
+const std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>>& prepare_context::get_variable_specifications() const & {
+    return _specs;
 }
 
 std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>> prepare_context::get_variable_specifications() && {
diff --git a/cql3/prepare_context.hh b/cql3/prepare_context.hh
index bb8cccfc94..d01049143d 100644
--- a/cql3/prepare_context.hh
+++ b/cql3/prepare_context.hh
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public:
 
     size_t bound_variables_size() const;
 
-    std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>> get_variable_specifications() const &;
+    const std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>>& get_variable_specifications() const &;
 
     std::vector<lw_shared_ptr<column_specification>> get_variable_specifications() &&;