diff --git a/gossipd/gossip.c b/gossipd/gossip.c
index d00a2e6eb..2f5fffece 100644
--- a/gossipd/gossip.c
+++ b/gossipd/gossip.c
@@ -1897,7 +1897,7 @@ static void connect_failed(struct io_conn *conn, struct reaching *reach)
 
 static struct io_plan *conn_init(struct io_conn *conn, struct reaching *reach)
 {
-	struct addrinfo *ai;
+	struct addrinfo *ai = NULL;
 
 	switch (reach->addr.itype) {
 	case ADDR_INTERNAL_SOCKNAME: