diff --git a/src/PhpWord/Element/AbstractElement.php b/src/PhpWord/Element/AbstractElement.php
index 82aa543e..4bc6b8e5 100644
--- a/src/PhpWord/Element/AbstractElement.php
+++ b/src/PhpWord/Element/AbstractElement.php
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ abstract class AbstractElement
      */
     public function setPhpWord(PhpWord &$phpWord = null)
     {
-        $this->phpWord = &$phpWord;
+        $this->phpWord = $phpWord;
     }
 
     /**