diff --git a/bitswap/message/message.go b/bitswap/message/message.go
index b7baae25b..044f13046 100644
--- a/bitswap/message/message.go
+++ b/bitswap/message/message.go
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ func (m *impl) Empty() bool {
 
 func (m *impl) FillWantlist(out []Entry) []Entry {
 	if cap(out) < len(m.wantlist) {
-		out = make([]Entry, len(m.wantlist))
+		out = make([]Entry, 0, len(m.wantlist))
 	} else {
 		out = out[:0]
 	}