diff --git a/gtsam/geometry/Rot2.h b/gtsam/geometry/Rot2.h
index 65dd5f609..eaec62b48 100644
--- a/gtsam/geometry/Rot2.h
+++ b/gtsam/geometry/Rot2.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ namespace gtsam {
 
     /// Named constructor from angle in degrees
     static Rot2 fromDegrees(double theta) {
-      const double degree = M_PI / 180;
+      static const double degree = M_PI / 180;
       return fromAngle(theta * degree);
     }