diff --git a/extensions/base_problems/BaseProblem.h b/extensions/base_problems/BaseProblem.h
index 9438671e92e860acbda991aa772db1d99346999e..8f75809adf16192cd83688e89854c1fabf9ec67f 100644
--- a/extensions/base_problems/BaseProblem.h
+++ b/extensions/base_problems/BaseProblem.h
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ public:
   }
 
   /// pointer to the feSpace of the problem
-  inline FiniteElemSpace* getFeSpace(int comp = 0) 
+  inline const FiniteElemSpace* getFeSpace(int comp = 0) 
   {
     return prob->getFeSpace(comp); 
   }