--- Image/Barcode.php
+++ Image/Barcode.php
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
             return PEAR::raiseError("Unable to find draw method in '$classname' class");
         }
 
-        @$obj =& new $classname();
+        @$obj = new $classname();
     
 	if (isset($obj->_barcodeheight)) $obj->_barcodeheight = $height;
 	if (isset($obj->_barwidth)) $obj->_barwidth = $barwidth;