diff --git a/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.cxx b/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.cxx
index c9f5b06517..59ce5cb0d6 100644
--- a/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.cxx
+++ b/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.cxx
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ Handle(DE_Wrapper) DE_Wrapper::GlobalWrapper()
 // purpose  :
 //=======================================================================
 Standard_Boolean DE_Wrapper::Read(const TCollection_AsciiString& thePath,
-                                  Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
+                                  const Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
                                   Handle(XSControl_WorkSession)& theWS,
                                   const Message_ProgressRange& theProgress)
 {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ Standard_Boolean DE_Wrapper::Write(const TCollection_AsciiString& thePath,
 // purpose  :
 //=======================================================================
 Standard_Boolean DE_Wrapper::Read(const TCollection_AsciiString& thePath,
-                                  Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
+                                  const Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
                                   const Message_ProgressRange& theProgress)
 {
   if (theDocument.IsNull())
diff --git a/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.hxx b/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.hxx
index 030153a48d..b0e4471871 100644
--- a/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.hxx
+++ b/src/DE/DE_Wrapper.hxx
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public:
   //! @param theProgress[in] progress indicator
   //! @return true if Read operation has ended correctly
   Standard_EXPORT Standard_Boolean Read(const TCollection_AsciiString& thePath,
-                                        Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
+                                        const Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
                                         Handle(XSControl_WorkSession)& theWS,
                                         const Message_ProgressRange& theProgress = Message_ProgressRange());
 
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public:
   //! @param theProgress[in] progress indicator
   //! @return true if Read operation has ended correctly
   Standard_EXPORT Standard_Boolean Read(const TCollection_AsciiString& thePath,
-                                        Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
+                                        const Handle(TDocStd_Document)& theDocument,
                                         const Message_ProgressRange& theProgress = Message_ProgressRange());
 
   //! Writes a CAD file, according internal configuration