diff --git a/tools/perf/bench/sched-messaging.c b/tools/perf/bench/sched-messaging.c
index 71d830d7b923..cecce93ccc63 100644
--- a/tools/perf/bench/sched-messaging.c
+++ b/tools/perf/bench/sched-messaging.c
@@ -66,11 +66,10 @@ static void fdpair(int fds[2])
 /* Block until we're ready to go */
 static void ready(int ready_out, int wakefd)
 {
-	char dummy;
 	struct pollfd pollfd = { .fd = wakefd, .events = POLLIN };
 
 	/* Tell them we're ready. */
-	if (write(ready_out, &dummy, 1) != 1)
+	if (write(ready_out, "R", 1) != 1)
 		err(EXIT_FAILURE, "CLIENT: ready write");
 
 	/* Wait for "GO" signal */
@@ -85,6 +84,7 @@ static void *sender(struct sender_context *ctx)
 	unsigned int i, j;
 
 	ready(ctx->ready_out, ctx->wakefd);
+	memset(data, 'S', sizeof(data));
 
 	/* Now pump to every receiver. */
 	for (i = 0; i < nr_loops; i++) {