diff --git a/audio/alsaaudio.c b/audio/alsaaudio.c
index 714bfb6453..5f50dfa0bf 100644
--- a/audio/alsaaudio.c
+++ b/audio/alsaaudio.c
@@ -222,11 +222,7 @@ static int alsa_poll_helper (snd_pcm_t *handle, struct pollhlp *hlp, int mask)
         return -1;
     }
 
-    pfds = audio_calloc ("alsa_poll_helper", count, sizeof (*pfds));
-    if (!pfds) {
-        dolog ("Could not initialize poll mode\n");
-        return -1;
-    }
+    pfds = g_new0(struct pollfd, count);
 
     err = snd_pcm_poll_descriptors (handle, pfds, count);
     if (err < 0) {