diff --git a/libraries/chain/include/eos/chain/authority.hpp b/libraries/chain/include/eos/chain/authority.hpp
index 13a218ecdc3..95845f6a486 100644
--- a/libraries/chain/include/eos/chain/authority.hpp
+++ b/libraries/chain/include/eos/chain/authority.hpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ inline bool operator< (const types::AccountPermission& a, const types::AccountPe
  * Makes sure all keys are unique and sorted and all account permissions are unique and sorted and that authority can
  * be satisfied
  */
-inline bool validate( types::Authority& auth ) {
+inline bool validate(const types::Authority& auth) {
    const types::KeyPermissionWeight* prev = nullptr;
    decltype(auth.threshold) totalWeight = 0;