diff --git a/src/base/global.cpp b/src/base/global.cpp
index 5a09a610e..3e6872a90 100644
--- a/src/base/global.cpp
+++ b/src/base/global.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ void setLogger(Logger* logwriter)
 {
     try {
         app()->setLogger(logwriter);
-    } catch (std::bad_alloc) {
+    } catch (const std::bad_alloc&) {
         logwriter->error("bad alloc thrown by app()");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/equil/vcs_MultiPhaseEquil.cpp b/src/equil/vcs_MultiPhaseEquil.cpp
index 2334f4dde..f72625369 100644
--- a/src/equil/vcs_MultiPhaseEquil.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/vcs_MultiPhaseEquil.cpp
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ int vcs_MultiPhaseEquil::equilibrate_HP(doublereal Htarget,
                 Tnew = 0.5*Tnow;
             }
             m_mix->setTemperature(Tnew);
-        } catch (CanteraError err) {
+        } catch (const CanteraError& err) {
             if (!estimateEquil) {
                 strt = -1;
             } else {
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ int vcs_MultiPhaseEquil::equilibrate_SP(doublereal Starget,
                 Tnew = 0.5*Tnow;
             }
             m_mix->setTemperature(Tnew);
-        } catch (CanteraError err) {
+        } catch (const CanteraError& err) {
             if (!estimateEquil) {
                 strt = -1;
             } else {