diff --git a/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp b/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
index 6bb5a8083f..bf7304c7fb 100644
--- a/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
@@ -1975,16 +1975,14 @@ int commander_thread_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 		for (int i = 0; i < ORB_MULTI_MAX_INSTANCES; i++) {
 
-			if (telemetry_subs[i] < 0 && (OK == orb_exists(ORB_ID(telemetry_status), i))) {
+			if (telemetry_subs[i] < 0) {
 				telemetry_subs[i] = orb_subscribe_multi(ORB_ID(telemetry_status), i);
 			}
 
 			orb_check(telemetry_subs[i], &updated);
 
 			if (updated) {
-				struct telemetry_status_s telemetry;
-				memset(&telemetry, 0, sizeof(telemetry));
-
+				telemetry_status_s telemetry = {};
 				orb_copy(ORB_ID(telemetry_status), telemetry_subs[i], &telemetry);
 
 				/* perform system checks when new telemetry link connected */