diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
index 939161327b..0cdaf36099 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
@@ -147,9 +147,9 @@ public:
     
     Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getNeckPosition() const;
 
-    Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getAcceleration()  { return _acceleration; }
-    Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getAngularVelocity() { return _angularVelocity; }
-    Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getAngularAcceleration() { return _angularAcceleration; }
+    Q_INVOKABLE const glm::vec3& getAcceleration() const { return _acceleration; }
+    Q_INVOKABLE const glm::vec3& getAngularVelocity() const { return _angularVelocity; }
+    Q_INVOKABLE const glm::vec3& getAngularAcceleration() const { return _angularAcceleration; }
     
 
     /// Scales a world space position vector relative to the avatar position and scale
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
index a27e4256ef..603b5d76ea 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ public:
     int getReceiveRate() const;
 
     void setVelocity(const glm::vec3 velocity) { _velocity = velocity; }
-    Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getVelocity() const { return _velocity; }
+    Q_INVOKABLE const glm::vec3& getVelocity() const { return _velocity; }
     const glm::vec3& getTargetVelocity() const { return _targetVelocity; }
 
     bool shouldDie() const { return _owningAvatarMixer.isNull() || getUsecsSinceLastUpdate() > AVATAR_SILENCE_THRESHOLD_USECS; }