diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/needless_pass_by_ref_mut.rs b/clippy_lints/src/needless_pass_by_ref_mut.rs
index 57652e5ff546..3ad9ae0301a6 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/needless_pass_by_ref_mut.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/needless_pass_by_ref_mut.rs
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ declare_clippy_lint! {
     /// ```
     #[clippy::version = "1.72.0"]
     pub NEEDLESS_PASS_BY_REF_MUT,
-    suspicious,
+    nursery,
     "using a `&mut` argument when it's not mutated"
 }