diff --git a/backend/codablock.c b/backend/codablock.c
index 625096ab..a7a5bc4a 100644
--- a/backend/codablock.c
+++ b/backend/codablock.c
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ static int Columns2Rows(struct zint_symbol *symbol, CharacterSetTable *T, const
         int * pRows, int * pUseColumns, int * pSet, int * pFillings)
 {
     int useColumns;     /* Usable Characters per line */
-    int fillings;       /* Number of filling characters */
+    int fillings = 0;   /* Number of filling characters */
     int rowsCur;
     int runChar;
     int emptyColumns;   /* Number of codes still empty in line. */