2 files changed, 7 insertions, 5 deletions
diff --git a/util/epist/config.cc b/util/epist/config.cc
index 0df15e9c..506aab76 100644
--- a/util/epist/config.cc
+++ b/util/epist/config.cc
@@ -35,13 +35,16 @@ Config::~Config()
 }
 
 
-const string &Config::getStringValue(Config::ItemType type) const
+bool Config::getStringValue(Config::ItemType type, string &ret) const
 {
   ItemList::const_iterator it = items.begin(), end = items.end();
   for (; it != end; ++it) {
-    if ((*it)->getType() == type)
-      return (*it)->getStringValue();
+    if ((*it)->getType() == type) {
+      ret = (*it)->getStringValue();
+      return true;
+    }
   }
+  return false;
 }
 
 
@@ -52,7 +55,6 @@ int Config::getNumberValue(Config::ItemType type) const
     if ((*it)->getType() == type)
       return (*it)->getNumberValue();
   }
-
   return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/util/epist/config.hh b/util/epist/config.hh
index 17320125..443834ed 100644
--- a/util/epist/config.hh
+++ b/util/epist/config.hh
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public:
   Config();
   ~Config();
 
-  const std::string &getStringValue(Config::ItemType) const;
+  bool getStringValue(Config::ItemType, std::string &) const;
   int getNumberValue(Config::ItemType) const;
   void addOption(ConfigItem *);
   void addOption(const std::string &, const std::string &);