diff --git a/src/jtag/core.c b/src/jtag/core.c
index b26701e3c..ad6375353 100644
--- a/src/jtag/core.c
+++ b/src/jtag/core.c
@@ -1398,7 +1398,7 @@ int adapter_init(struct command_context *cmd_ctx)
 
 	int requested_khz = jtag_get_speed_khz();
 	int actual_khz = requested_khz;
-	int jtag_speed_var;
+	int jtag_speed_var = 0;
 	retval = jtag_get_speed(&jtag_speed_var);
 	if (retval != ERROR_OK)
 		return retval;