diff --git a/src/gzip.c b/src/gzip.c
index 349d53fb..23c9d0de 100644
--- a/src/gzip.c
+++ b/src/gzip.c
@@ -39,11 +39,10 @@ static z_stream *initcompress(ssh_session session, int level) {
   z_stream *stream = NULL;
   int status;
 
-  stream = malloc(sizeof(z_stream));
+  stream = calloc(1, sizeof(z_stream));
   if (stream == NULL) {
     return NULL;
   }
-  memset(stream, 0, sizeof(z_stream));
 
   status = deflateInit(stream, level);
   if (status != Z_OK) {
@@ -128,11 +127,10 @@ static z_stream *initdecompress(ssh_session session) {
   z_stream *stream = NULL;
   int status;
 
-  stream = malloc(sizeof(z_stream));
+  stream = calloc(1, sizeof(z_stream));
   if (stream == NULL) {
     return NULL;
   }
-  memset(stream,0,sizeof(z_stream));
 
   status = inflateInit(stream);
   if (status != Z_OK) {