diff --git a/tests/kernel/mem_protect/userspace/src/main.c b/tests/kernel/mem_protect/userspace/src/main.c
index 4f1912bd854..6b8786cbaee 100644
--- a/tests/kernel/mem_protect/userspace/src/main.c
+++ b/tests/kernel/mem_protect/userspace/src/main.c
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ static void write_kerntext(void)
 	expect_fault = true;
 	expected_reason = REASON_HW_EXCEPTION;
 	BARRIER();
-	memcpy(&_is_thread_essential, 0, 4);
+	memset(&_is_thread_essential, 0, 4);
 	zassert_unreachable("Write to kernel text did not fault");
 }