diff --git a/include/armadillo_bits/Mat_meat.hpp b/include/armadillo_bits/Mat_meat.hpp
index fdf5c67d..0d2c5856 100644
--- a/include/armadillo_bits/Mat_meat.hpp
+++ b/include/armadillo_bits/Mat_meat.hpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Mat<eT>::Mat()
   , n_alloc(0)
   , vec_state(0)
   , mem_state(0)
-  , mem()
+  , mem(nullptr)
   {
   arma_debug_sigprint_this(this);
   }