diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/placementtrans.cxx b/simgear/scene/model/placementtrans.cxx
index 963244e9..c95ea974 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/placementtrans.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/placementtrans.cxx
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@
 
 ssgPlacementTransform::ssgPlacementTransform(void)
 {
+  sgdSetVec3(_placement_offset, 0, 0, 0);
+  sgdSetVec3(_scenery_center, 0, 0, 0);
 }
 
 ssgPlacementTransform::~ssgPlacementTransform(void)