diff --git a/cde/programs/dtsession/SrvPalette.c b/cde/programs/dtsession/SrvPalette.c
index e6f96e7c5..09275c0b9 100644
--- a/cde/programs/dtsession/SrvPalette.c
+++ b/cde/programs/dtsession/SrvPalette.c
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ convert_pixel_set(
   int i;
   char *converted;
   char *p;
-  int colormappingindex;
+  int colormappingindex = 0;
 
   const int colormapping [4][XmCO_MAX_NUM_COLORS] = {
     {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}, /* XmCO_HIGH_COLOR */