diff --git a/cde/programs/dtcm/server/repeat.c b/cde/programs/dtcm/server/repeat.c
index 2314d92de..d86eeb936 100644
--- a/cde/programs/dtcm/server/repeat.c
+++ b/cde/programs/dtcm/server/repeat.c
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ _DtCms_last_tick_v4(time_t ftick, Period_4 period, int ntimes)
 extern time_t
 _DtCms_next_tick_v4(time_t tick, Period_4 period)
 {
-        time_t next;
+        time_t next = 0;
 	struct tm *tm;
 	_Xltimeparams localtime_buf;