diff --git a/sim_frontpanel.c b/sim_frontpanel.c
index 0e6f116d..4599fcb0 100644
--- a/sim_frontpanel.c
+++ b/sim_frontpanel.c
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ return 0;
 static int
 _panel_establish_register_bits_collection (PANEL *panel)
 {
-size_t i, buf_data, buf_needed = 0, reg_count = 0, bit_reg_count = 0;
+size_t i, buf_data, buf_needed = 1, reg_count = 0, bit_reg_count = 0;
 int cmd_stat, bits_count = 0;
 char *buf, *response = NULL;