diff --git a/src/nvim/ex_getln.c b/src/nvim/ex_getln.c
index a41e78d44a..ecd5c81822 100644
--- a/src/nvim/ex_getln.c
+++ b/src/nvim/ex_getln.c
@@ -1455,7 +1455,7 @@ static int command_line_handle_key(CommandLineState *s)
     if (s->hiscnt != s->i) {
       // jumped to other entry
       char_u      *p;
-      int len;
+      int len = 0;
       int old_firstc;
 
       xfree(ccline.cmdbuff);