diff --git a/kdc/524.c b/kdc/524.c
index 546841585..928b117cf 100644
--- a/kdc/524.c
+++ b/kdc/524.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ RCSID("$Id$");
 krb5_error_code
 do_524(Ticket *t, krb5_data *reply, const char *from)
 {
-    krb5_error_code ret;
+    krb5_error_code ret = 0;
     krb5_principal sprinc = NULL;
     hdb_entry *server;
     Key *skey;