diff --git a/kadmin/cpw.c b/kadmin/cpw.c
index d3da02eec..d47553a89 100644
--- a/kadmin/cpw.c
+++ b/kadmin/cpw.c
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ do_cpw_entry(krb5_principal principal, void *data)
 int
 cpw_entry(struct passwd_options *opt, int argc, char **argv)
 {
-    krb5_error_code ret;
+    krb5_error_code ret = 0;
     int i;
     struct cpw_entry_data data;
     int num;