diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/topology.c b/tools/perf/tests/topology.c
index 4a800499d7c3..22daf2bdf5fa 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/topology.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/topology.c
@@ -33,10 +33,8 @@ static int session_write_header(char *path)
 {
 	struct perf_session *session;
 	struct perf_data data = {
-		.file      = {
-			.path = path,
-		},
-		.mode      = PERF_DATA_MODE_WRITE,
+		.path = path,
+		.mode = PERF_DATA_MODE_WRITE,
 	};
 
 	session = perf_session__new(&data, false, NULL);
@@ -63,10 +61,8 @@ static int check_cpu_topology(char *path, struct perf_cpu_map *map)
 {
 	struct perf_session *session;
 	struct perf_data data = {
-		.file      = {
-			.path = path,
-		},
-		.mode      = PERF_DATA_MODE_READ,
+		.path = path,
+		.mode = PERF_DATA_MODE_READ,
 	};
 	int i;