diff --git a/hw/xwin/winprefs.c b/hw/xwin/winprefs.c
index 53abc163fe..5052927148 100644
--- a/hw/xwin/winprefs.c
+++ b/hw/xwin/winprefs.c
@@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ winIconIsOverride(HICON hicon)
  * If @path is NULL, use the built-in default.
  */
 static int
-winPrefsLoadPreferences(char *path)
+winPrefsLoadPreferences(const char *path)
 {
     FILE *prefFile = NULL;