diff --git a/src/netopeerguid.c b/src/netopeerguid.c
index 901e7e9..064e3f7 100644
--- a/src/netopeerguid.c
+++ b/src/netopeerguid.c
@@ -3372,6 +3372,7 @@
                 }
 
                 /* process required operation */
+                reply = NULL;
                 switch (operation) {
                 case MSG_CONNECT:
                     reply = handle_op_connect(request);