diff --git a/tests/mock_send_functions.c b/tests/mock_send_functions.c
index 48f5468d..73aec4b9 100644
--- a/tests/mock_send_functions.c
+++ b/tests/mock_send_functions.c
@@ -52,8 +52,7 @@ static int __append_msg(
     raft_server_t* raft
     )
 {
-    msg_t* m;
-    m = malloc(sizeof(msg_t));
+    msg_t* m = malloc(sizeof(msg_t));
     m->type = type;
     m->len = len;
     m->data = malloc(len);