diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c b/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c
index 04939e576ee0..7956b5b529c9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/cisco/airo.c
@@ -7819,7 +7819,7 @@ static int readrids(struct net_device *dev, aironet_ioctl *comp) {
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
-	if ((iobuf = kmalloc(RIDSIZE, GFP_KERNEL)) == NULL)
+	if ((iobuf = kzalloc(RIDSIZE, GFP_KERNEL)) == NULL)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
 	PC4500_readrid(ai,ridcode,iobuf,RIDSIZE, 1);