RF24 'if' statement adds junk to char string

For some reason when I add this if statement, it adds junk to the char string. I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure this out!...


[Returns a value like this: 4433] - CORRECT

radio.read(&passcode, sizeof(passcode));
Serial.println(passcode);
delay (10);


[Returns a value like this: 4433'?] - INCORRECT

if (radio.available())
{
radio.read(&passcode, sizeof(passcode));
Serial.println(passcode);
delay (10);
}

Screen Shot 2020-09-09 at 2.10.17 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-09-09 at 2.09.10 PM.png