diff --git a/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c b/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
index 22e8422..7e8100d 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@
 	bts->bsic = bsic;
 	bts->num_trx = 0;
 	INIT_LLIST_HEAD(&bts->trx_list);
+	bts->ms_max_power = 15;	/* dBm */
 
 	/* create our primary TRX */
 	bts->c0 = gsm_bts_trx_alloc(bts);