diff --git a/rclcpp_action/include/rclcpp_action/server_goal_handle.hpp b/rclcpp_action/include/rclcpp_action/server_goal_handle.hpp
index ba66cfcb30..df3c83ef14 100644
--- a/rclcpp_action/include/rclcpp_action/server_goal_handle.hpp
+++ b/rclcpp_action/include/rclcpp_action/server_goal_handle.hpp
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ class ServerGoalHandle : public ServerGoalHandleBase
   }
 
   /// Get the unique identifier of the goal
-  const GoalID
+  const GoalID &
   get_goal_id() const
   {
     return uuid_;