diff --git a/tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference_testutil.h b/tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference_testutil.h
index 40a6d53d223..361f7ed13c1 100644
--- a/tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference_testutil.h
+++ b/tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference_testutil.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 #define TENSORFLOW_CORE_FRAMEWORK_SHAPE_INFERENCE_TESTUTIL_H_
 
 #include <vector>
+
 #include "tensorflow/core/framework/node_def.pb.h"
 #include "tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference.h"
 #include "tensorflow/core/lib/core/status.h"
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ class ShapeInferenceTestutil {
         ::tensorflow::shape_inference::ShapeInferenceTestutil::InferShapes( \
             op, i, "e")                                                     \
             .error_message();                                               \
-    const std::string& substring = error_substring;                         \
+    const std::string substring = error_substring;                          \
     EXPECT_NE("", error_message);                                           \
     EXPECT_TRUE(absl::StrContains(error_message, substring))                \
         << "Expected to see '" << substring << "' in '" << error_message    \