diff --git a/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.cc b/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.cc
index e699cd9fb..ca8d0eab1 100644
--- a/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.cc
+++ b/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.cc
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE ("GtpcHeader");
 
 NS_OBJECT_ENSURE_REGISTERED (GtpcHeader);
 
+/// GTPv2-C protocol version number
+static const uint8_t VERSION = 2;
+
 TypeId
 GtpcHeader::GetTypeId (void)
 {
@@ -71,7 +74,7 @@ GtpcHeader::Serialize (Buffer::Iterator start) const
 void
 GtpcHeader::PreSerialize (Buffer::Iterator &i) const
 {
-  i.WriteU8 ((2 << 5) | (1 << 3));
+  i.WriteU8 ((VERSION << 5) | (1 << 3));
   i.WriteU8 (m_messageType);
   i.WriteHtonU16 (m_messageLength);
   i.WriteHtonU32 (m_teid);
diff --git a/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.h b/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.h
index e1cacf5cb..dcc870df2 100644
--- a/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.h
+++ b/src/lte/model/epc-gtpc-header.h
@@ -138,11 +138,6 @@ public:
 
 
 private:
-  /**
-   * Version of the GTPv2-C protocol.
-   * The version number shall be set to 2.
-   */
-  uint8_t m_version;
   /**
    * TEID flag.
    * This flag indicates if TEID field is present or not