diff --git a/orte/mca/rml/base/rml_base_components.c b/orte/mca/rml/base/rml_base_components.c
index 2eb9551045..0a91af5221 100644
--- a/orte/mca/rml/base/rml_base_components.c
+++ b/orte/mca/rml/base/rml_base_components.c
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ static bool       component_open_called = false;
 /* instantiate the msg_pkt object */
 static void msg_pkt_constructor(orte_msg_packet_t *pkt)
 {
+    pkt->sender.jobid = ORTE_JOBID_INVALID;
+    pkt->sender.vpid = ORTE_VPID_INVALID;
     pkt->buffer = NULL;
 }
 static void msg_pkt_destructor(orte_msg_packet_t *pkt)