diff --git a/Python/marshal.c b/Python/marshal.c
index 0b275f0..975ec8d 100644
--- a/Python/marshal.c
+++ b/Python/marshal.c
@@ -1181,6 +1181,7 @@
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	rf.strings = PyList_New(0);
+	rf.depth = 0;
 	result = read_object(&rf);
 	Py_DECREF(rf.strings);
 	Py_DECREF(data);