diff --git a/code/ship/ship.cpp b/code/ship/ship.cpp
index 452cdd6374..e62c4af156 100644
--- a/code/ship/ship.cpp
+++ b/code/ship/ship.cpp
@@ -5821,7 +5821,7 @@ void ship::clear()
 	target_shields_delta = 0.0f;
 	target_weapon_energy_delta = 0.0f;
 
-	weapons = ship_weapon();
+	weapons.clear();
 
 	// ---------- special weapons init that isn't setting things to 0
 	for (i = 0; i < MAX_SHIP_PRIMARY_BANKS; i++)
@@ -5993,7 +5993,7 @@ void ship::clear()
 	autoaim_fov = 0.0f;
 }
 
-ship_weapon::ship_weapon() 
+void ship_weapon::clear() 
 {
     flags.reset();
 
@@ -6076,6 +6076,10 @@ ship_weapon::ship_weapon()
     last_fired_weapon_signature = -1;
 }
 
+ship_weapon::ship_weapon() {
+	clear();
+}
+
 // NOTE: Now that the clear() member function exists, this function only sets the stuff associated with the object and ship class.
 void ship_set(int ship_index, int objnum, int ship_type)
 {
diff --git a/code/ship/ship.h b/code/ship/ship.h
index bae34b1c7e..c60a67b078 100644
--- a/code/ship/ship.h
+++ b/code/ship/ship.h
@@ -158,7 +158,15 @@ public:
 	size_t primary_bank_pattern_index[MAX_SHIP_PRIMARY_BANKS];
 	size_t secondary_bank_pattern_index[MAX_SHIP_SECONDARY_BANKS];
 
+	/**
+	 * @brief Constructor. Calls clear()
+	 */
     ship_weapon();
+
+	/**
+	 * @brief Inits ship_weapon
+	 */
+	void clear();
 };
 
 //**************************************************************