diff --git a/cde/programs/dtfile/File.c b/cde/programs/dtfile/File.c
index a3a11c3f9..28b4a5118 100644
--- a/cde/programs/dtfile/File.c
+++ b/cde/programs/dtfile/File.c
@@ -1744,7 +1744,7 @@ GetSelectedCount(
         DesktopRec * desktopRec,
         int * dt)
 {
-   int selectedCount;
+   int selectedCount = 0;
    char * wsName;
    Atom pCurrent;