diff --git a/package.cpp b/package.cpp
index 5a26f2f9f..8c63898ff 100644
--- a/package.cpp
+++ b/package.cpp
@@ -177,13 +177,13 @@ QStringList Package::entryList(const char *fileType) const
     return QStringList();
 }
 
-const PackageMetadata *Package::metadata() const
+PackageMetadata Package::metadata() const
 {
     //FIXME: this only works for native plasma packges; should fall back to... PackageStructure?
     if (!d->metadata) {
         d->metadata = new PackageMetadata(d->basePath + "metadata.desktop");
     }
-    return d->metadata;
+    return *d->metadata;
 }
 
 const QString Package::path() const
diff --git a/package.h b/package.h
index 4f6d0fe76..807c93a33 100644
--- a/package.h
+++ b/package.h
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class PLASMA_EXPORT Package
         /**
           * @return the package metadata object.
           */
-        const PackageMetadata *metadata() const;
+        PackageMetadata metadata() const;
 
         /**
          * @return the path to the root of this particular package