diff --git a/src/engine/util.c b/src/engine/util.c
index 5f3bae40ca..9d93e8a9f8 100644
--- a/src/engine/util.c
+++ b/src/engine/util.c
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ dcoresize(void)
 \********************************************************************/
 
 int 
-safe_strcmp (char * da, char * db) {
+safe_strcmp (const char * da, const char * db) {
    SAFE_STRCMP (da, db);
    return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/engine/util.h b/src/engine/util.h
index 7e690b5a1f..b5296c3936 100644
--- a/src/engine/util.h
+++ b/src/engine/util.h
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ size_t dcoresize();
   }					\
 }
 
-int safe_strcmp (char * da, char * db);
+int safe_strcmp (const char * da, const char * db);
 
 /** PROTOTYPES ******************************************************/