diff --git a/tests/mocks/core/common.php b/tests/mocks/core/common.php
index 55506a1..a655ee1 100644
--- a/tests/mocks/core/common.php
+++ b/tests/mocks/core/common.php
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@
 	function &get_instance()
 	{
 		$test = CI_TestCase::instance();
-		return $test->ci_instance();
+		$test = $test->ci_instance();
+		return $test;
 	}
 }