diff --git a/src/gallium/drivers/svga/svga_state_fs.c b/src/gallium/drivers/svga/svga_state_fs.c
index 272d1dd14e3..44bb58c9000 100644
--- a/src/gallium/drivers/svga/svga_state_fs.c
+++ b/src/gallium/drivers/svga/svga_state_fs.c
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ static enum pipe_error compile_fs( struct svga_context *svga,
                                    struct svga_shader_result **out_result )
 {
    struct svga_shader_result *result;
-   enum pipe_error ret;
+   enum pipe_error ret = PIPE_ERROR;
 
    result = svga_translate_fragment_program( fs, key );
    if (result == NULL) {