diff --git a/lib/url.c b/lib/url.c
index 8e2a5b1289..769af6f6b6 100644
--- a/lib/url.c
+++ b/lib/url.c
@@ -815,7 +815,7 @@ static bool extract_if_dead(struct connectdata *conn,
 
     }
     else {
-      bool input_pending;
+      bool input_pending = FALSE;
 
       Curl_attach_connection(data, conn);
       dead = !Curl_conn_is_alive(data, conn, &input_pending);