diff --git a/tests/vectors/vectors.cpp b/tests/vectors/vectors.cpp
index 8ebb8b5259..9f7ab2bab9 100644
--- a/tests/vectors/vectors.cpp
+++ b/tests/vectors/vectors.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ private:
 int CountedObject::ms_count = 0;
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// simple class capable of checking it's this pointer validity
+// simple class capable of checking its "this" pointer validity
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 class SelfPointingObject
@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ public:
     SelfPointingObject(const SelfPointingObject&) { m_self = this; }
     ~SelfPointingObject() { CPPUNIT_ASSERT( this == m_self ); }
 
+    // the assignment operator should not modify our "this" pointer so
+    // implement it just to prevent the default version from doing it
+    SelfPointingObject& operator=(const SelfPointingObject&) { return *this; }
+
 private:
     SelfPointingObject *m_self;
 };