diff --git a/builder/amazon/chroot/step_instance_info.go b/builder/amazon/chroot/step_instance_info.go
index b318f161e..53080e171 100644
--- a/builder/amazon/chroot/step_instance_info.go
+++ b/builder/amazon/chroot/step_instance_info.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func (s *StepInstanceInfo) Run(state map[string]interface{}) multistep.StepActio
 		return multistep.ActionHalt
 	}
 
-	instance := instancesResp.Reservations[0].Instances[0]
+	instance := &instancesResp.Reservations[0].Instances[0]
 	state["instance"] = instance
 
 	return multistep.ActionContinue
diff --git a/builder/amazon/chroot/step_source_ami_info.go b/builder/amazon/chroot/step_source_ami_info.go
index d8fc82f97..28f47149b 100644
--- a/builder/amazon/chroot/step_source_ami_info.go
+++ b/builder/amazon/chroot/step_source_ami_info.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func (s *StepSourceAMIInfo) Run(state map[string]interface{}) multistep.StepActi
 		return multistep.ActionHalt
 	}
 
-	image := imageResp.Images[0]
+	image := &imageResp.Images[0]
 
 	// It must be EBS-backed otherwise the build won't work
 	if image.RootDeviceType != "ebs" {