diff --git a/src/core/devices/nm-device.c b/src/core/devices/nm-device.c
index 69a5a35623..ae4bcdbafc 100644
--- a/src/core/devices/nm-device.c
+++ b/src/core/devices/nm-device.c
@@ -1936,7 +1936,7 @@ _prop_get_x_generate_mac_address_mask(NMDevice *self, NMConnection *connection,
 static void
 _ethtool_features_reset(NMDevice *self, NMPlatform *platform, EthtoolState *ethtool_state)
 {
-    gs_free NMEthtoolFeatureStates *features;
+    gs_free NMEthtoolFeatureStates *features = NULL;
 
     features = g_steal_pointer(&ethtool_state->features);