diff --git a/src/emu/emuopts.cpp b/src/emu/emuopts.cpp
index d3964984d58..34c8eb4ff20 100644
--- a/src/emu/emuopts.cpp
+++ b/src/emu/emuopts.cpp
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ bool emu_options::add_slot_options(bool isfirstpass)
 		first = false;
 
 		// retrieve info about the device instance
-		std::string name(slot->device().tag().substr(1));
+		std::string name(slot->device().tag().substr(1).c_str());
 		if (!exists(name.c_str()))
 		{
 			// add the option
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ void emu_options::update_slot_options()
 	for (device_slot_interface *slot = iter.first(); slot != nullptr; slot = iter.next())
 	{
 		// retrieve info about the device instance
-		std::string name(slot->device().tag().substr(1));
+		std::string name(slot->device().tag().substr(1).c_str());
 		if (exists(name.c_str()) && slot->first_option() != nullptr)
 		{
 			std::string defvalue = slot->get_default_card_software();