diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/passwd.c b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/passwd.c
index 084ad2d3a9..05fc2abec8 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/passwd.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/passwd.c
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ ldbm_back_exop_passwd(
 	struct berval id = { 0, NULL };
 	struct berval new = { 0, NULL };
 
-	struct berval dn;
-	struct berval ndn;
+	struct berval dn = { 0, NULL };
+	struct berval ndn = { 0, NULL };
 
 	assert( reqoid != NULL );
 	assert( ber_bvcmp( &slap_EXOP_MODIFY_PASSWD, reqoid ) == 0 );