diff --git a/qw/source/snd_oss.c b/qw/source/snd_oss.c
index 8387a93af..4c2390bbf 100644
--- a/qw/source/snd_oss.c
+++ b/qw/source/snd_oss.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
 
 static int         audio_fd;
 static int         snd_inited;
-static char       *snd_dev;
+static char       *snd_dev = "/dev/dsp";
 
 static int  tryrates[] = { 11025, 22050, 22051, 44100, 8000 };