diff --git a/tools/hv/hv_kvp_daemon.c b/tools/hv/hv_kvp_daemon.c
index f5597503c771..e9ef4ca6a655 100644
--- a/tools/hv/hv_kvp_daemon.c
+++ b/tools/hv/hv_kvp_daemon.c
@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ kvp_get_ip_info(int family, char *if_name, int op,
 	int sn_offset = 0;
 	int error = 0;
 	char *buffer;
-	struct hv_kvp_ipaddr_value *ip_buffer;
+	struct hv_kvp_ipaddr_value *ip_buffer = NULL;
 	char cidr_mask[5]; /* /xyz */
 	int weight;
 	int i;