diff --git a/jps/model-api/src/org/jetbrains/jps/model/ex/JpsElementChildRoleBase.java b/jps/model-api/src/org/jetbrains/jps/model/ex/JpsElementChildRoleBase.java
index 17036f1e9f80..7150cb7708da 100644
--- a/jps/model-api/src/org/jetbrains/jps/model/ex/JpsElementChildRoleBase.java
+++ b/jps/model-api/src/org/jetbrains/jps/model/ex/JpsElementChildRoleBase.java
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public class JpsElementChildRoleBase<E extends JpsElement> extends JpsElementChi
   private String myDebugName;
 
   protected JpsElementChildRoleBase(String debugName) {
-    myDebugName = debugName;
+    myDebugName = debugName.intern();
   }
 
   @Override