diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_SITL/Storage.h b/libraries/AP_HAL_SITL/Storage.h
index a47eb57e91..c4b4a220a9 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_SITL/Storage.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_SITL/Storage.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ private:
     void _save_backup(void);
     void _mark_dirty(uint16_t loc, uint16_t length);
     uint8_t _buffer[HAL_STORAGE_SIZE] __attribute__((aligned(4)));
-    Bitmask _dirty_mask{STORAGE_NUM_LINES};
+    Bitmask<STORAGE_NUM_LINES> _dirty_mask;
 
 #if STORAGE_USE_FLASH
     bool _flash_write_data(uint8_t sector, uint32_t offset, const uint8_t *data, uint16_t length);