diff --git a/openair2/RRC/NR/rrc_gNB_du.c b/openair2/RRC/NR/rrc_gNB_du.c
index 14a146154b..a44ca4d6cf 100644
--- a/openair2/RRC/NR/rrc_gNB_du.c
+++ b/openair2/RRC/NR/rrc_gNB_du.c
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ void rrc_gNB_process_f1_setup_req(f1ap_setup_req_t *req, sctp_assoc_t assoc_id)
   /* ITTI will free the setup request message via free(). So the memory
    * "inside" of the message will remain, but the "outside" container no, so
    * allocate memory and copy it in */
-  du->setup_req = malloc(sizeof(*du->setup_req));
+  du->setup_req = calloc(1,sizeof(*du->setup_req));
   AssertFatal(du->setup_req != NULL, "out of memory\n");
   *du->setup_req = *req;
   if (mib != NULL && sib1 != NULL) {