diff --git a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_point.cpp b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_point.cpp
index 3eb150559c..9ad580544e 100644
--- a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_point.cpp
+++ b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_point.cpp
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ void FixQEqPoint::init()
   neighbor->add_request(this, NeighConst::REQ_FULL);
 
   int ntypes = atom->ntypes;
+  memory->destroy(shld);
   memory->create(shld, ntypes + 1, ntypes + 1, "qeq:shielding");
 }
 
diff --git a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_shielded.cpp b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_shielded.cpp
index 2e653b9226..b4827d8694 100644
--- a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_shielded.cpp
+++ b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq_shielded.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ void FixQEqShielded::init()
   neighbor->add_request(this, NeighConst::REQ_FULL);
 
   const int ntypes = atom->ntypes;
+  memory->destroy(shld);
   memory->create(shld, ntypes + 1, ntypes + 1, "qeq:shielding");
 
   init_shielding();