diff --git a/mt76_connac_mcu.c b/mt76_connac_mcu.c
index 9d5fcb33..fba7025f 100644
--- a/mt76_connac_mcu.c
+++ b/mt76_connac_mcu.c
@@ -1974,7 +1974,7 @@ int mt76_connac_mcu_chip_config(struct mt76_dev *dev)
 		.resp_type = 0,
 	};
 
-	memcpy(req.data, "assert", 7);
+	strscpy(req.data, "assert");
 
 	return mt76_mcu_send_msg(dev, MCU_CE_CMD(CHIP_CONFIG),
 				 &req, sizeof(req), false);