diff --git a/kernel/malloc.asm b/kernel/malloc.asm
index fe34e04..2f70a91 100644
--- a/kernel/malloc.asm
+++ b/kernel/malloc.asm
@@ -1,11 +1,34 @@
 ; All these functions assume DS=0
 
+malloc_reserve_16:
+  push bx
+  call malloc_mark_allocated
+  pop bx
+  add bx, 0x10
+  loop malloc_reserve_16
+  ret
+
 malloc_reset:
   xor ax, ax
   mov es, ax
   call malloc_get_table
   mov cx, 0x100 ; 256 words
   rep stosw
+
+  ; reserve IVT and BDA
+  xor bx, bx
+  mov cx, 0x50
+  call malloc_reserve_16
+
+  ; reserve malloc table itself
+  mov bx, 0x0600
+  mov cx, 0x20
+  call malloc_reserve_16
+
+  ; reserve location for chainloaded boot sector
+  mov bx, 0x7C00
+  mov cx, 0x20
+  call malloc_reserve_16
   ret
 
 ; Input: