diff --git a/svc.c b/svc.c
index fb241b22..631da95f 100644
--- a/svc.c
+++ b/svc.c
@@ -97,7 +97,9 @@ svc_t *svc_new(char *cmd, int id, int type)
  */
 int svc_del(svc_t *svc)
 {
-	svc->type = SVC_TYPE_FREE;
+	/* Clear any old references and set SVC_TYPE_FREE */
+	memset(svc, 0, sizeof(*svc));
+
 	return 0;
 }