diff --git a/src/pipewire/properties.c b/src/pipewire/properties.c
index 27951b087..619565e2d 100644
--- a/src/pipewire/properties.c
+++ b/src/pipewire/properties.c
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ static struct properties *properties_new(int prealloc)
 	if (impl == NULL)
 		return NULL;
 
-	pw_array_init(&impl->items, prealloc);
+	pw_array_init(&impl->items, 16);
+	pw_array_ensure_size(&impl->items, sizeof(struct spa_dict_item) * prealloc);
 
 	return impl;
 }