diff --git a/lib/authentication/authenticationutil.inc.php b/lib/authentication/authenticationutil.inc.php
index 5bb6f39..c538b65 100644
--- a/lib/authentication/authenticationutil.inc.php
+++ b/lib/authentication/authenticationutil.inc.php
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
  * License Version 1.1.2 ("License"); You may not use this file except in
  * compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
  * http://www.knowledgetree.com/KPL
- * 
+ *
  * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS"
  * basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
  * See the License for the specific language governing rights and
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@
  *    (ii) the KnowledgeTree copyright notice
  * in the same form as they appear in the distribution.  See the License for
  * requirements.
- * 
+ *
  * The Original Code is: KnowledgeTree Open Source
- * 
+ *
  * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is The Jam Warehouse Software
  * (Pty) Ltd, trading as KnowledgeTree.
  * Portions created by The Jam Warehouse Software (Pty) Ltd are Copyright
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class KTAuthenticationUtil {
             $oRegistry =& KTAuthenticationProviderRegistry::getSingleton();
             $oProvider =& $oRegistry->getAuthenticationProvider($sProvider);
         } else {
-            $oProvider =& new KTBuiltinAuthenticationProvider;
+            $oProvider = new KTBuiltinAuthenticationProvider;
         }
         return $oProvider;
     }