diff --git a/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/gapplication/gstvalidategapplication.c b/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/gapplication/gstvalidategapplication.c
index da8da5787d..2d9ff8a1e9 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/gapplication/gstvalidategapplication.c
+++ b/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/gapplication/gstvalidategapplication.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ static gboolean
 gst_validate_gapplication_init (GstPlugin * plugin)
 {
   GList *config, *tmp;
-  const gchar *appname;
+  const gchar *appname = NULL;
 
   config = gst_validate_plugin_get_config (plugin);