diff --git a/core/include/aoclient.h b/core/include/aoclient.h
index a38b8fc..4a16167 100644
--- a/core/include/aoclient.h
+++ b/core/include/aoclient.h
@@ -1912,8 +1912,7 @@ class AOClient : public QObject {
      *
      * @return True if it contains '<' or '>' symbols, otherwise false.
      */
-
-    bool checkTestimonySymbols(QString message);
+    bool checkTestimonySymbols(const QString& message);
     ///@}
 
     /**
diff --git a/core/src/testimony_recorder.cpp b/core/src/testimony_recorder.cpp
index 3bf3c00..3b65b09 100644
--- a/core/src/testimony_recorder.cpp
+++ b/core/src/testimony_recorder.cpp
@@ -77,12 +77,11 @@ void AOClient::clearTestimony()
     area->clearTestimony();
 }
 
-bool AOClient::checkTestimonySymbols(QString message)
+bool AOClient::checkTestimonySymbols(const QString& message)
 {
     if (message.contains('>') || message.contains('<')) {
         sendServerMessage("Unable to add statements containing '>' or '<'.");
         return true;
     }
-    else
-        return false;
+    return false;
 }