diff --git a/include/sound/control.h b/include/sound/control.h
index b2796e83c7ac..57815f6a02b9 100644
--- a/include/sound/control.h
+++ b/include/sound/control.h
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ struct snd_kcontrol_new {
 	snd_ctl_elem_iface_t iface;	/* interface identifier */
 	unsigned int device;		/* device/client number */
 	unsigned int subdevice;		/* subdevice (substream) number */
-	unsigned char *name;		/* ASCII name of item */
+	const unsigned char *name;	/* ASCII name of item */
 	unsigned int index;		/* index of item */
 	unsigned int access;		/* access rights */
 	unsigned int count;		/* count of same elements */