diff --git a/magick/morphology.c b/magick/morphology.c
index 3b5d633..69e2afd 100644
--- a/magick/morphology.c
+++ b/magick/morphology.c
@@ -768,6 +768,7 @@
     nan = sqrt((double)-1.0);  /* Special Value : Not A Number */
 
   /* Generate a new empty kernel if needed */
+  kernel=(KernelInfo *) NULL;
   switch(type) {
     case GaussianKernel:
     case DOGKernel: