diff --git a/base/modules/psb_base_tools_mod.f90 b/base/modules/psb_base_tools_mod.f90
index d100a61e..196930f5 100644
--- a/base/modules/psb_base_tools_mod.f90
+++ b/base/modules/psb_base_tools_mod.f90
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ module psb_cd_if_tools_mod
       !....parameters...
 
       type(psb_desc_type), intent(in)  :: desc_in
-      type(psb_desc_type), intent(inout) :: desc_out
+      type(psb_desc_type), intent(out) :: desc_out
       integer, intent(out)             :: info
     end subroutine psb_cdcpy
   end interface
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_cdcpy.f90 b/base/tools/psb_cdcpy.f90
index 38a65b16..772e678d 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_cdcpy.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_cdcpy.f90
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ subroutine psb_cdcpy(desc_in, desc_out, info)
   !....parameters...
 
   type(psb_desc_type), intent(in)  :: desc_in
-  type(psb_desc_type), intent(inout) :: desc_out
+  type(psb_desc_type), intent(out) :: desc_out
   integer, intent(out)             :: info
 
   !locals