diff --git a/src/borg/repository.py b/src/borg/repository.py
index 814f9b03b..56c846480 100644
--- a/src/borg/repository.py
+++ b/src/borg/repository.py
@@ -1027,6 +1027,7 @@ class Repository:
         t_start = time.monotonic()
         pi = ProgressIndicatorPercent(total=segment_count, msg='Checking segments %3.1f%%', step=0.1,
                                       msgid='repository.check')
+        segment = -1  # avoid uninitialized variable if there are no segment files at all
         for i, (segment, filename) in enumerate(self.io.segment_iterator()):
             pi.show(i)
             if segment <= last_segment_checked: