diff --git a/drivers/char/pcmcia/synclink_cs.c b/drivers/char/pcmcia/synclink_cs.c
index caf6e4d19469..a08c8994c89d 100644
--- a/drivers/char/pcmcia/synclink_cs.c
+++ b/drivers/char/pcmcia/synclink_cs.c
@@ -4164,6 +4164,8 @@ static int hdlcdev_ioctl(struct net_device *dev, struct ifreq *ifr, int cmd)
 	if (cmd != SIOCWANDEV)
 		return hdlc_ioctl(dev, ifr, cmd);
 
+	memset(&new_line, 0, size);
+
 	switch(ifr->ifr_settings.type) {
 	case IF_GET_IFACE: /* return current sync_serial_settings */