diff --git a/lib/utils.c b/lib/utils.c
index 1ad7616..dfb0368 100644
--- a/lib/utils.c
+++ b/lib/utils.c
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int __iproute2_hz_internal;
+int __iproute2_hz_internal = 0;
 
 int __get_hz(void)
 {