diff --git a/src/bot/handlers.c b/src/bot/handlers.c
index cababad..f566e77 100644
--- a/src/bot/handlers.c
+++ b/src/bot/handlers.c
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
 	body = xmpp_stanza_new(ctx);
 	xmpp_stanza_set_name(body, "body");
 	
-	replytext = g_string_copy(intext);
+	replytext = g_string_new(strdup(intext->str)); // compatible with glib versions < 2.86, g_string_copy undefined
     if(grammar_parse_string(intext) == 0) {
         g_string_append(replytext, " -> Parse OK!\n");
     } else {