diff --git a/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.cpp b/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.cpp
index 8753f3751c..ba9872a34c 100644
--- a/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.cpp
@@ -1440,7 +1440,7 @@ void MissionBase::checkClimbRequired(int32_t mission_item_index)
 	}
 }
 
-bool MissionBase::checkMissionDataChanged(mission_s new_mission)
+bool MissionBase::checkMissionDataChanged(const mission_s &new_mission)
 {
 	/* count and land_index are the same if the mission_id did not change. We do not care about changes in geofence or rally counters.*/
 	return ((new_mission.mission_dataman_id != _mission.mission_dataman_id) ||
diff --git a/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.h b/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.h
index 3479c3752d..982474ba69 100644
--- a/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.h
+++ b/src/modules/navigator/mission_base.h
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ private:
 	 * @param[in] new_mission new mission received over uorb
 	 * @return true if the relevant mission data has changed, false otherwise
 	 */
-	bool checkMissionDataChanged(mission_s new_mission);
+	bool checkMissionDataChanged(const mission_s &new_mission);
 
 	/**
 	 * @brief update current mission altitude after the home position has changed.