diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
index b3a9856e..dc1750fb 100644
--- a/main.c
+++ b/main.c
@@ -817,6 +817,7 @@ int main(int argc, char * argv[]) {
 
 		if ((failureMode == FAIL_BME) || (failureMode == FAIL_MPU) || sim_mode) // recreaate sensor_payload string	
 		{  
+		  sensor_payload[0] = "\0";
 		  strcpy(sensor_string[0], "OK");
 		  strcpy(sensor_string[1], "BME280");
 		  strcpy(sensor_string[6], "MPU6050");