diff --git a/eo/src/eoPop.h b/eo/src/eoPop.h
index 353c1302..bcd49c9f 100644
--- a/eo/src/eoPop.h
+++ b/eo/src/eoPop.h
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class eoPop: public vector<EOT>, public eoObject, public eoPersistent
   /** returns an iterator to the best individual DOES NOT MOVE ANYBODY */
   eoPop<EOT>::iterator it_best_element() 
   {
-    typename eoPop<EOT>::const_iterator it = max_element(begin(), end());
+    typename eoPop<EOT>::iterator it = max_element(begin(), end());
     return it;
   }