diff --git a/engines/e_chil.c b/engines/e_chil.c
index b09d5259a9..e7c89538a5 100644
--- a/engines/e_chil.c
+++ b/engines/e_chil.c
@@ -1262,7 +1262,7 @@ static int hwcrhk_insert_card(const char *prompt_info,
     ui = UI_new_method(ui_method);
 
     if (ui) {
-        char answer;
+        char answer = '\0';
         char buf[BUFSIZ];
         /*
          * Despite what the documentation says wrong_info can be an empty