diff --git a/include/assimp/metadata.h b/include/assimp/metadata.h
index 3a50e3b58..d3e22b5ad 100644
--- a/include/assimp/metadata.h
+++ b/include/assimp/metadata.h
@@ -86,6 +86,12 @@ typedef enum aiMetadataType {
 struct aiMetadataEntry {
     aiMetadataType mType;
     void *mData;
+
+    aiMetadataEntry() :
+            mType(AI_META_MAX),
+            mData( nullptr ) {
+        // empty
+    }
 };
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus