diff --git a/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp b/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
index 4c1cc9fd5..aab262743 100644
--- a/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
+++ b/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ cycle_t thinktime, actortime, gameupdatetime, drawtime;
 gameaction_t gameaction = ga_nothing;
 // gameaction state
 MapRecord* g_nextmap;
-int g_nextskill;
+int g_nextskill = -1;
 int g_bossexit;