diff --git a/servers/slapd/str2filter.c b/servers/slapd/str2filter.c
index aca9674fd8..cf95d922e8 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/str2filter.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/str2filter.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ static int	str2subvals();
 Filter *
 str2filter( char *str )
 {
-	Filter	*f;
+	Filter	*f = NULL;
 	char	*end;
 
 	Debug( LDAP_DEBUG_FILTER, "str2filter \"%s\"\n", str, 0, 0 );