diff --git a/pkg/yqlib/expression_tokeniser.go b/pkg/yqlib/expression_tokeniser.go
index 46ff1d4..475d022 100644
--- a/pkg/yqlib/expression_tokeniser.go
+++ b/pkg/yqlib/expression_tokeniser.go
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func stringValue(wrapped bool) lex.Action {
 func envOp(strenv bool) lex.Action {
 	return func(s *lex.Scanner, m *machines.Match) (interface{}, error) {
 		value := string(m.Bytes)
-		preferences := &envOpPreferences{}
+		preferences := envOpPreferences{}
 
 		if strenv {
 			// strenv( )
diff --git a/pkg/yqlib/operator_env.go b/pkg/yqlib/operator_env.go
index 07a0aee..5089f48 100644
--- a/pkg/yqlib/operator_env.go
+++ b/pkg/yqlib/operator_env.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func envOperator(d *dataTreeNavigator, matchMap *list.List, expressionNode *Expr
 
 	rawValue := os.Getenv(envName)
 
-	preferences := expressionNode.Operation.Preferences.(*envOpPreferences)
+	preferences := expressionNode.Operation.Preferences.(envOpPreferences)
 
 	var node *yaml.Node
 	if preferences.StringValue {