diff --git a/src/python/of12/action_list.py b/src/python/of12/action_list.py
index f3c0723..78341e2 100644
--- a/src/python/of12/action_list.py
+++ b/src/python/of12/action_list.py
@@ -41,9 +41,11 @@
 
     """
 
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, actions=None):
         ofp_base_list.__init__(self)
         self.actions = self.items
+        if actions:
+            self.actions.extend(actions)
         self.name = "action"
         self.class_list = action_class_list
 
diff --git a/src/python/of12/message.py b/src/python/of12/message.py
index 45d458e..b8fb9b8 100644
--- a/src/python/of12/message.py
+++ b/src/python/of12/message.py
@@ -1872,13 +1872,14 @@
         ofp_packet_out.__init__(self)
         self.header = ofp_header()
         self.header.type = OFPT_PACKET_OUT
-        self.actions = action_list()
+        self.actions = []
         self.data = ""
         for (k, v) in kwargs.items():
             if hasattr(self, k):
                 setattr(self, k, v)
             else:
                 raise NameError("field %s does not exist in %s" % (k, self.__class__))
+        self.actions = action_list(self.actions)
 
 
     def pack(self):