diff --git a/src/k_follower.c b/src/k_follower.c
index 847a95c50..4f8183f8c 100644
--- a/src/k_follower.c
+++ b/src/k_follower.c
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 INT32 numfollowers = 0;
 follower_t followers[MAXFOLLOWERS];
 
-INT32 numfollowercategories;
+INT32 numfollowercategories = 0;
 followercategory_t followercategories[MAXFOLLOWERCATEGORIES];
 
 boolean horngoner = false;