diff --git a/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/README.rst b/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/README.rst
index 0dcf68b51..94bb6c586 100644
--- a/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/README.rst
+++ b/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/README.rst
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ Other Function Calls
 
   const String & uri(); // get the current uri
   HTTPMethod  method(); // get the current method 
-  WiFiClient client(); // get the current client
+  WiFiClient & client(); // get the current client
   HTTPUpload & upload(); // get the current upload
   void setContentLength(); // set content length
   void sendHeader(); // send HTTP header
diff --git a/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/src/ESP8266WebServer.h b/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/src/ESP8266WebServer.h
index 59c1ad687..2dc520170 100644
--- a/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/src/ESP8266WebServer.h
+++ b/libraries/ESP8266WebServer/src/ESP8266WebServer.h
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public:
 
   const String& uri() const { return _currentUri; }
   HTTPMethod method() const { return _currentMethod; }
-  ClientType client() { return _currentClient; }
+  ClientType& client() { return _currentClient; }
   HTTPUpload& upload() { return *_currentUpload; }
 
   // Allows setting server options (i.e. SSL keys) by the instantiator