diff --git a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
index fa06b51c0144..4e607f3110c8 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ batadv_hardif_is_iface_up(const struct batadv_hard_iface *hard_iface)
 
 static void batadv_check_known_mac_addr(const struct net_device *net_dev)
 {
-	const struct batadv_hard_iface *hard_iface;
+	const struct batadv_hard_iface *hard_iface = {};
 
 	rcu_read_lock();
 	list_for_each_entry_rcu(hard_iface, &batadv_hardif_list, list) {