diff --git a/gms/gossiper.cc b/gms/gossiper.cc
index 955592de5a..7da8494a79 100644
--- a/gms/gossiper.cc
+++ b/gms/gossiper.cc
@@ -935,7 +935,7 @@ void gossiper::real_mark_alive(inet_address addr, endpoint_state local_state) {
     }
 }
 
-void gossiper::mark_dead(inet_address addr, endpoint_state local_state) {
+void gossiper::mark_dead(inet_address addr, endpoint_state& local_state) {
     logger.trace("marking as down {}", addr);
     local_state.mark_dead();
     _live_endpoints.erase(addr);
diff --git a/gms/gossiper.hh b/gms/gossiper.hh
index 2b97d076c7..da087676ce 100644
--- a/gms/gossiper.hh
+++ b/gms/gossiper.hh
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ private:
 
     void real_mark_alive(inet_address addr, endpoint_state local_state);
 
-    void mark_dead(inet_address addr, endpoint_state local_state);
+    void mark_dead(inet_address addr, endpoint_state& local_state);
 
     /**
      * This method is called whenever there is a "big" change in ep state (a generation change for a known node).