diff --git a/lib/krb5/mk_error.c b/lib/krb5/mk_error.c
index dc0b3abce..0de30e4dd 100644
--- a/lib/krb5/mk_error.c
+++ b/lib/krb5/mk_error.c
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ krb5_mk_error(krb5_context context,
 	      int *client_usec,
 	      krb5_data *reply)
 {
-    const char *e_text2;
+    const char *e_text2 = NULL;
     KRB_ERROR msg;
     krb5_timestamp sec;
     int32_t usec;