diff --git a/system/database/DB_utility.php b/system/database/DB_utility.php
index c2c5f1f..51e43a7 100644
--- a/system/database/DB_utility.php
+++ b/system/database/DB_utility.php
@@ -110,7 +110,8 @@
 			}
 		}
 			
-		return $this->data_cache['db_names'] =& $dbs;
+		$this->data_cache['db_names'] = $dbs;
+		return $this->data_cache['db_names'];
 	}
 
 	// --------------------------------------------------------------------