diff --git a/zebra/rt_socket.c b/zebra/rt_socket.c
index 23beeaebb7..5ce1ddfd49 100644
--- a/zebra/rt_socket.c
+++ b/zebra/rt_socket.c
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ static int kernel_rtm(int cmd, const struct prefix *p,
 		    !CHECK_FLAG(nexthop->flags, NEXTHOP_FLAG_ACTIVE))
 			continue;
 
+		smplsp = NULL;
 		gate = false;
 		char gate_buf[INET_ADDRSTRLEN] = "NULL";