diff --git a/client/maxadmin.c b/client/maxadmin.c
index b406c66ba..08a6de795 100644
--- a/client/maxadmin.c
+++ b/client/maxadmin.c
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 
             case 'p':
                 passwd = strdup(optarg);
+                memset(optarg, '\0', strlen(optarg));
                 break;
 
             case 'P':