diff --git a/tests/testutilsqemu.c b/tests/testutilsqemu.c
index e0e5e14d5f..7fee21a51e 100644
--- a/tests/testutilsqemu.c
+++ b/tests/testutilsqemu.c
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ virCapsPtr testQemuCapsInit(void) {
     struct utsname utsname;
     virCapsPtr caps;
     virCapsGuestPtr guest;
-    virCapsGuestMachinePtr *machines;
-    int nmachines;
+    virCapsGuestMachinePtr *machines = NULL;
+    int nmachines = 0;
     static const char *const xen_machines[] = {
         "xenner"
     };