diff --git a/mxqkill.c b/mxqkill.c
index 7b0d25e4..65d1e96a 100644
--- a/mxqkill.c
+++ b/mxqkill.c
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     struct mxq_group group;
 
     uid_t ruid, euid, suid;
-    struct passwd *passwd;
+    struct passwd *passwd = NULL;
 
     int res;