diff --git a/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis/EntityStatePdu.java b/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis/EntityStatePdu.java
index 5527419..82f25c1 100644
--- a/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis/EntityStatePdu.java
+++ b/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis/EntityStatePdu.java
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public class EntityStatePdu extends EntityInformationFamilyPdu implements Serial
      * a series of bit flags that are used to help draw the entity, such as
      * smoking, on fire, etc.
      */
-    protected int entityAppearance;
+    protected int entityAppearance = 0;
 
     /**
      * parameters used for dead reckoning
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public class EntityStatePdu extends EntityInformationFamilyPdu implements Serial
     /**
      * a series of bit flags
      */
-    protected int capabilities;
+    protected int capabilities = 0;
 
     /**
      * variable length list of articulation parameters
diff --git a/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis7/EntityStatePdu.java b/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis7/EntityStatePdu.java
index 177b06d..2d6e4b9 100644
--- a/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis7/EntityStatePdu.java
+++ b/src/main/java/edu/nps/moves/dis7/EntityStatePdu.java
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public class EntityStatePdu extends EntityInformationFamilyPdu implements Serial
      * a series of bit flags that are used to help draw the entity, such as
      * smoking, on fire, etc.
      */
-    protected long entityAppearance;
+    protected long entityAppearance = 0;
 
     /**
      * parameters used for dead reckoning
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public class EntityStatePdu extends EntityInformationFamilyPdu implements Serial
     /**
      * a series of bit flags
      */
-    protected long capabilities;
+    protected long capabilities = 0;
 
     /**
      * variable length list of variable parameters. In earlier DIS versions this