diff --git a/src/kits/network/libnet/compat.c b/src/kits/network/libnet/compat.c
index de5acaf6a7..5e9ede7d3b 100644
--- a/src/kits/network/libnet/compat.c
+++ b/src/kits/network/libnet/compat.c
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 #include <TLS.h>
 
-static int32 h_errno_tls;
+static int32 h_errno_tls = -1;
 
 void initialize_before(void);
 void terminate_after(void);