diff --git a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_synctty.c b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_synctty.c
index 644e99fc3..e43be79ef 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_synctty.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_synctty.c
@@ -499,6 +499,8 @@ static void ppp_sync_process(struct tasklet_struct *t)
  * Procedures for encapsulation and framing.
  */
 
+struct sk_buff *skb = dev_alloc_skb(0);
+
 static struct sk_buff*
 ppp_sync_txmunge(struct syncppp *ap, struct sk_buff *skb)
 {