diff --git a/src/hostapi/alsa/pa_linux_alsa.c b/src/hostapi/alsa/pa_linux_alsa.c
index a6d2aec..cf01f47 100644
--- a/src/hostapi/alsa/pa_linux_alsa.c
+++ b/src/hostapi/alsa/pa_linux_alsa.c
@@ -4635,6 +4635,7 @@ PaError PaAlsa_GetStreamInputCard( PaStream* s, int* card )
     PaError result = paNoError;
     snd_pcm_info_t* pcmInfo;
 
+    stream = NULL;
     PA_ENSURE( GetAlsaStreamPointer( s, &stream ) );
 
     /* XXX: More descriptive error? */
@@ -4654,6 +4655,7 @@ PaError PaAlsa_GetStreamOutputCard( PaStream* s, int* card )
     PaError result = paNoError;
     snd_pcm_info_t* pcmInfo;
 
+    stream = NULL;
     PA_ENSURE( GetAlsaStreamPointer( s, &stream ) );
 
     /* XXX: More descriptive error? */