diff --git a/cde/programs/dtcm/server/lookup.c b/cde/programs/dtcm/server/lookup.c
index e27549e8a..cb98523d9 100644
--- a/cde/programs/dtcm/server/lookup.c
+++ b/cde/programs/dtcm/server/lookup.c
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ _DtCmsGetEntryAttrByKey(
 	char		sbuf[TIME_BUF_LEN], ebuf[TIME_BUF_LEN];
 	time_t		firsttick = 0;
 	List_node	*lnode;
-	cms_get_entry_attr_res_item *res;
+	cms_get_entry_attr_res_item *res = NULL;
 
 	if (entry_r == NULL && res_r == NULL)
 		return (CSA_E_INVALID_PARAMETER);