diff --git a/MD_Getc.c b/MD_Getc.c
index 76ef81c..05d1b33 100644
--- a/MD_Getc.c
+++ b/MD_Getc.c
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ extern time_t mdtimeout;
 extern time_t mdtimeremaining;
 
 char md_getc() {
-    char c;
+    char c = 'x';
     int ret;
 
     int stage = 0;