diff --git a/libqrexec/exec.c b/libqrexec/exec.c
index d641b3b8..1c21addc 100644
--- a/libqrexec/exec.c
+++ b/libqrexec/exec.c
@@ -382,12 +382,11 @@ struct qrexec_parsed_command *parse_qubes_rpc_command(
 
     struct qrexec_parsed_command *cmd;
 
-    if (!(cmd = malloc(sizeof(*cmd)))) {
-        PERROR("malloc");
+    if (!(cmd = calloc(1, sizeof(*cmd)))) {
+        PERROR("calloc");
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    memset(cmd, 0, sizeof(*cmd));
     cmd->send_service_descriptor = true;
     cmd->cmdline = cmdline;