diff --git a/src/or/hs_descriptor.c b/src/or/hs_descriptor.c
index 7c5d204ef3..96db936735 100644
--- a/src/or/hs_descriptor.c
+++ b/src/or/hs_descriptor.c
@@ -784,7 +784,7 @@ desc_encode_v3(const hs_descriptor_t *desc, char **encoded_out)
 
   /* Build the encrypted data section. */
   {
-    char *enc_b64_blob;
+    char *enc_b64_blob=NULL;
     if (encode_encrypted_data(desc, &enc_b64_blob) < 0) {
       goto err;
     }