diff --git a/v1/client/client.go b/v1/client/client.go
index c714b5e..5d7a75b 100644
--- a/v1/client/client.go
+++ b/v1/client/client.go
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ func (wsClient *SafeWebsocketClient) startPingTicker(ctx context.Context) {
 		case <-ticker.C:
 			wsClient.writeChan <- Message{
 				MessageType: websocket.PingMessage,
-				Data:        nil,
+				Data:        []byte{},
 			}
 		}
 	}