diff --git a/cde/programs/dtfile/ModAttrP.c b/cde/programs/dtfile/ModAttrP.c
index 5df7c9cea..fbe098d0a 100644
--- a/cde/programs/dtfile/ModAttrP.c
+++ b/cde/programs/dtfile/ModAttrP.c
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ AttrChangeProcess(
 {
   char *path;
   struct stat stat_buf;
-  long modify_time;
+  long modify_time = 0;
   short pipe_msg;
   int rc = -1;
   Tt_status tt_status;