diff --git a/src/mesh/Router.h b/src/mesh/Router.h
index ec9a08b16..dbe6f4f39 100644
--- a/src/mesh/Router.h
+++ b/src/mesh/Router.h
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class Router : protected concurrency::OSThread, protected PacketHistory
     uint32_t rxDupe = 0, txRelayCanceled = 0;
 
     // pointer to the encrypted packet
-    meshtastic_MeshPacket *p_encrypted;
+    meshtastic_MeshPacket *p_encrypted = nullptr;
 
   protected:
     friend class RoutingModule;