diff --git a/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp b/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp
index 8491f722..b74d155c 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp
@@ -28,12 +28,7 @@ class proxy : public object_operators<proxy<Policies> >
     template <class T>
     inline proxy const& operator=(T const& rhs) const
     {
-# if __GNUC__ != 3
-        python::object const& x(rhs);
-# else
-        python::object x(rhs);
-# endif 
-        Policies::set(m_target, m_key, x);
+        Policies::set(m_target, m_key, object(rhs));
         return *this;
     }