Systems and methods for activating a Semi-Persistent (SP) Zero Power (ZP) Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device includes for activating SP ZP CSI-RS includes receiving, from a network node, a control message that indicates the activation of one or more SP ZP CSI-RS resources; and activating, based on the control message, the one or more SP ZP CSI-RS resources. In this way, ZP CSI-RS may be used for rate matching around other wireless devices and a SP ZP CSI-RS resource may be activated without activating any Non-Zero Power (NZP) CSI-RS, CSI-Interference Measurement (CSI-IM), or CSI reporting for the wireless device.