diff --git a/drivers/net/natsemi.c b/drivers/net/natsemi.c
index e09da1d..072ea3a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/natsemi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/natsemi.c
@@ -321,6 +321,11 @@ natsemi_initialize(bd_t * bis)
 		}
 
 		dev = (struct eth_device *) malloc(sizeof *dev);
+		if (!dev) {
+			printf("natsemi: Can not allocate memory\n");
+			break;
+		}
+		memset(dev, 0, sizeof(*dev));
 
 		sprintf(dev->name, "dp83815#%d", card_number);
 		dev->iobase = bus_to_phys(iobase);