diff --git a/cake/libs/debugger.php b/cake/libs/debugger.php
index 4a366ea88df..46e5052cfc5 100644
--- a/cake/libs/debugger.php
+++ b/cake/libs/debugger.php
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ public static function &getInstance($class = null) {
 		static $instance = array();
 		if (!empty($class)) {
 			if (!$instance || strtolower($class) != strtolower(get_class($instance[0]))) {
-				$instance[0] = & new $class();
+				$instance[0] = new $class();
 				if (Configure::read('debug') > 0) {
 					Configure::version(); // Make sure the core config is loaded
 					$instance[0]->helpPath = Configure::read('Cake.Debugger.HelpPath');
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ public static function &getInstance($class = null) {
 		}
 
 		if (!$instance) {
-			$instance[0] =& new Debugger();
+			$instance[0] = new Debugger();
 			if (Configure::read('debug') > 0) {
 				Configure::version(); // Make sure the core config is loaded
 				$instance[0]->helpPath = Configure::read('Cake.Debugger.HelpPath');