diff --git a/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp b/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
index e7e152019..0ecc54851 100644
--- a/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
+++ b/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ 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;