diff --git a/source4/libcli/smb_composite/fetchfile.c b/source4/libcli/smb_composite/fetchfile.c
index 1891ee956c8..a885aaa911f 100644
--- a/source4/libcli/smb_composite/fetchfile.c
+++ b/source4/libcli/smb_composite/fetchfile.c
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ static NTSTATUS fetchfile_read(struct composite_context *c,
 static void fetchfile_state_handler(struct composite_context *c)
 {
 	struct fetchfile_state *state;
-	NTSTATUS status;
+	NTSTATUS status = NT_STATUS_UNSUCCESSFUL;
 	
 	state = talloc_get_type(c->private_data, struct fetchfile_state);