diff --git a/src/node_crypto.cc b/src/node_crypto.cc
index 07bb881fbcd..d1bf6913a44 100644
--- a/src/node_crypto.cc
+++ b/src/node_crypto.cc
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ static BIO* LoadBIO (Handle<Value> v) {
 
   HandleScope scope;
 
-  int r;
+  int r = -1;
 
   if (v->IsString()) {
     String::Utf8Value s(v->ToString());