diff --git a/cde/lib/DtHelp/FormatTerm.c b/cde/lib/DtHelp/FormatTerm.c
index 914fe8236..81fc6cc2f 100644
--- a/cde/lib/DtHelp/FormatTerm.c
+++ b/cde/lib/DtHelp/FormatTerm.c
@@ -1002,7 +1002,7 @@ _DtHelpTermGetTopicData(
     char * *     strList;
     char*        fileName = NULL;
     _DtHelpCeLockInfo lockInfo;
-    _DtCvTopicPtr	 topic;
+    _DtCvTopicPtr	 topic = NULL;
     TerminalInfo * termInfo;
     _FrmtUiInfo     myUiInfo;