diff --git a/input.cpp b/input.cpp
index 7204031d7..e9cf4037c 100644
--- a/input.cpp
+++ b/input.cpp
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ int input_init()
 		debug( 0, _( L"Could not set up terminal" ) );
 		exit(1);
 	}
-	output_set_term( env_get( L"TERM" ) );
+	output_set_term( env_get_string( L"TERM" ).c_str() );
 	
 	input_terminfo_init();
 
diff --git a/output.cpp b/output.cpp
index 0bc4e252d..8902628ac 100644
--- a/output.cpp
+++ b/output.cpp
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ int output_color_code( const wchar_t *val )
 	
 }
 
-void output_set_term( wchar_t *term )
+void output_set_term( const wchar_t *term )
 {
 	current_term = halloc_wcsdup(global_context, term);
 }
diff --git a/output.h b/output.h
index 0c8faa4b1..896e40fea 100644
--- a/output.h
+++ b/output.h
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ int (*output_get_writer())(char) ;
 /**
    Set the terminal name
  */
-void output_set_term( wchar_t *term );
+void output_set_term( const wchar_t *term );
 /**
    Return the terminal name
  */