diff --git a/system/database/DB.php b/system/database/DB.php
index b51995b..60a67e8 100644
--- a/system/database/DB.php
+++ b/system/database/DB.php
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@
 
 	// Instantiate the DB adapter
 	$driver = 'CI_DB_'.$params['dbdriver'].'_driver';
-	$DB =& instantiate_class(new $driver($params));
+	$DB = new $driver($params);
 
 	if ($DB->autoinit == TRUE)
 	{