diff --git a/flexradio/sdr1k.c b/flexradio/sdr1k.c
index ad67486bb..de70dd6aa 100644
--- a/flexradio/sdr1k.c
+++ b/flexradio/sdr1k.c
@@ -199,20 +199,20 @@ int sdr1k_init(RIG *rig)
 {
     struct sdr1k_priv_data *priv;
 
-    priv = (struct sdr1k_priv_data *)malloc(sizeof(struct sdr1k_priv_data));
+    rig->state.priv = (struct sdr1k_priv_data *)malloc(sizeof(struct sdr1k_priv_data));
 
-    if (!priv)
+    if (!rig->state.priv)
     {
         /* whoops! memory shortage! */
         return -RIG_ENOMEM;
     }
 
+    priv = rig->state.priv;
+
     priv->dds_freq = RIG_FREQ_NONE;
     priv->xtal = DEFAULT_XTAL;
     priv->pll_mult = DEFAULT_PLL_MULT;
 
-    rig->state.priv = (void *)priv;
-
     return RIG_OK;
 }