diff --git a/src/main/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/Report.java b/src/main/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/Report.java
index 6f7a6581b..2241acfa5 100644
--- a/src/main/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/Report.java
+++ b/src/main/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/Report.java
@@ -1184,6 +1184,18 @@ public void setCounter(final String key, final int value) {
         countersByKey.put(Objects.requireNonNull(key), value);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sets a reference to the execution of the static analysis tool (build ID, timestamp, etc.). This property should
+     * not be set by parsers as it is overwritten by the {@link IssueDifference differencing engine} while computing new
+     * and fixed issues.
+     *
+     * @param reference
+     *         the reference
+     */
+    public void setReference(final String reference) {
+        elements.forEach(issue -> issue.setReference(reference));
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the specified custom counter of this report.
      *
diff --git a/src/test/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/ReportTest.java b/src/test/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/ReportTest.java
index 4580b5e33..2c3567847 100644
--- a/src/test/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/ReportTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/edu/hm/hafner/analysis/ReportTest.java
@@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ void shouldCreateReportWithOptions() {
     }
 
     @Test
-    void shouldSetOrigin() {
+    void shouldSetOriginAndReference() {
         try (IssueBuilder builder = new IssueBuilder()) {
             Report report = new Report();
             Issue checkstyleWarning = builder.setFileName("A.java")
@@ -920,6 +920,11 @@ void shouldSetOrigin() {
 
             assertThat(checkstyleWarning).hasOrigin("origin");
             assertThat(checkstyleWarning).hasOriginName("Name");
+            assertThat(checkstyleWarning).hasReference("");
+
+            var reference = "reference";
+            report.setReference(reference);
+            assertThat(checkstyleWarning).hasReference(reference);
         }
     }