diff --git a/src/python/oftest/testutils.py b/src/python/oftest/testutils.py
index a7245fa..8b27f25 100644
--- a/src/python/oftest/testutils.py
+++ b/src/python/oftest/testutils.py
@@ -795,6 +795,8 @@
     logging.debug("  WC: " + hex(wildcards) + " vlan: " + str(vlan_vid))
     if pkt is None:
         pkt = simple_tcp_packet(dl_vlan_enable=(vlan_vid >= 0), vlan_vid=vlan_vid)
+    if exp_pkt is None:
+        exp_pkt = pkt
 
     request = flow_msg_create(parent, pkt, ing_port=ing_port, 
                               wildcards=wildcards, egr_ports=egr_ports,
@@ -823,6 +825,8 @@
 
     if pkt is None:
         pkt = simple_tcp_packet(dl_vlan_enable=(vlan_vid >= 0), vlan_vid=vlan_vid)
+    if exp_pkt is None:
+        exp_pkt = pkt
 
     msg = ofp.message.packet_out()
     msg.in_port = ing_port