diff --git a/src/GifDecoder.h b/src/GifDecoder.h
index ca84528..a18eae0 100644
--- a/src/GifDecoder.h
+++ b/src/GifDecoder.h
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ template <int maxGifWidth, int maxGifHeight, int lzwMaxBits, bool useMalloc=fals
   AnimatedGIF * gif;
   uint8_t buffer[useMalloc ? 0 : sizeof(AnimatedGIF)];
 
-  bool beginCalled;
+  bool beginCalled = false;
   bool usingFileCallbacks = true;
 
   uint8_t *gifPData;