diff --git a/src/pld/gatemate.c b/src/pld/gatemate.c
index f35b39ad2..479f6d183 100644
--- a/src/pld/gatemate.c
+++ b/src/pld/gatemate.c
@@ -138,11 +138,11 @@ static int gatemate_read_cfg_file(struct gatemate_bit_file *bit_file, const char
 
 static int gatemate_read_file(struct gatemate_bit_file *bit_file, const char *filename)
 {
-	memset(bit_file, 0, sizeof(struct gatemate_bit_file));
-
 	if (!filename || !bit_file)
 		return ERROR_COMMAND_SYNTAX_ERROR;
 
+	memset(bit_file, 0, sizeof(struct gatemate_bit_file));
+
 	/* check if binary .bit or ascii .cfg */
 	const char *file_suffix_pos = strrchr(filename, '.');
 	if (!file_suffix_pos) {