diff --git a/src/serial.cpp b/src/serial.cpp
index 3894b9e..564f50f 100644
--- a/src/serial.cpp
+++ b/src/serial.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ namespace create {
     using namespace boost::asio;
     port.open(portName);
     port.set_option(serial_port::baud_rate(baud));
+    port.set_option(serial_port::character_size(8));
+    port.set_option(serial_port::parity(serial_port::parity::none));
+    port.set_option(serial_port::stop_bits(serial_port::stop_bits::one));
     port.set_option(serial_port::flow_control(serial_port::flow_control::none));
 
     usleep(1000000);
diff --git a/src/serial_stream.cpp b/src/serial_stream.cpp
index aac3184..b06f263 100644
--- a/src/serial_stream.cpp
+++ b/src/serial_stream.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 namespace create {
 
-  SerialStream::SerialStream(boost::shared_ptr<Data> d, const uint8_t& header) : Serial(d), headerByte(header){
+  SerialStream::SerialStream(boost::shared_ptr<Data> d, const uint8_t& header) : Serial(d), readState(READ_HEADER), headerByte(header) {
   }
 
   bool SerialStream::startSensorStream() {