diff --git a/openbsc/src/libctrl/control_if.c b/openbsc/src/libctrl/control_if.c
index 8198ae6b7..d08134228 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/libctrl/control_if.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/libctrl/control_if.c
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ static int handle_control_read(struct osmo_fd * bfd)
 	struct ctrl_connection *ccon;
 	struct ipaccess_head *iph;
 	struct ipaccess_head_ext *iph_ext;
-	struct msgb *msg;
+	struct msgb *msg = NULL;
 	struct ctrl_cmd *cmd;
 	struct ctrl_handle *ctrl = bfd->data;