diff --git a/lib/filters/filter-persistent.c b/lib/filters/filter-persistent.c
index bbfd85805..1d24af864 100644
--- a/lib/filters/filter-persistent.c
+++ b/lib/filters/filter-persistent.c
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ struct pfilter {
  * by default.  The old code for it should be removed.
  */
 
-static int _good_device;
-static int _bad_device;
+static char* _good_device = "good";
+static char* _bad_device = "bad";
 
 /*
  * The hash table holds one of these two states