diff --git a/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.cc b/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.cc
index dd570b1a..8df23e47 100644
--- a/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.cc
+++ b/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.cc
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #include "GildedRose.h"
 
-GildedRose::GildedRose(vector<Item> items) : items(items)
+GildedRose::GildedRose(vector<Item> & items) : items(items)
 {}
     
 void GildedRose::updateQuality() 
diff --git a/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.h b/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.h
index 8d236457..8464f87b 100644
--- a/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.h
+++ b/GildedRose/cpp/GildedRose.h
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ public:
 class GildedRose
 {
 public:
-    vector<Item> items;
-    GildedRose(vector<Item> items);
+    vector<Item> & items;
+    GildedRose(vector<Item> & items);
     
     void updateQuality();
 };