diff --git a/init-db.c b/init-db.c
index fcb55f6e7..3f53d6c77 100644
--- a/init-db.c
+++ b/init-db.c
@@ -189,6 +189,7 @@ static void create_default_files(const char *git_dir)
 			exit(1);
 		}
 	}
+	path[len] = 0;
 	copy_templates(path);
 }