diff --git a/src/bank.cpp b/src/bank.cpp
index 3bff63d30..27766b5fe 100644
--- a/src/bank.cpp
+++ b/src/bank.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace simulation {
 std::vector<Particle::Bank> source_bank;
 std::vector<Particle::Bank> fission_bank;
 
-Particle::Bank* shared_fission_bank;
+Particle::Bank* shared_fission_bank {nullptr};
 int shared_fission_bank_length {0};
 int shared_fission_bank_max;
 
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ void free_memory_bank()
 {
   simulation::source_bank.clear();
   simulation::fission_bank.clear();
-	delete[] simulation::shared_fission_bank;
+  if( simulation::shared_fission_bank != nullptr )
+	  delete[] simulation::shared_fission_bank;
+  simulation::shared_fission_bank = nullptr;
   simulation::shared_fission_bank_length = 0;
 }