diff --git a/pkg/ueps/reader.go b/pkg/ueps/reader.go
index 3523100..dce6f2e 100644
--- a/pkg/ueps/reader.go
+++ b/pkg/ueps/reader.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ type ParsedPacket struct {
 // if err == nil { dispatch(packet.Header.IntentID, packet.Header.ThreatScore, packet.Payload) }
 func ReadAndVerify(reader *bufio.Reader, sharedSecret []byte) (*ParsedPacket, error) {
 	var hmacInputBuffer bytes.Buffer
-	header := UEPSHeader{}
+	var header UEPSHeader
 	var hmacSignature []byte
 	var payload []byte