diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c b/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c
index 27e2e3a85a..c73bb4f580 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c
@@ -533,8 +533,8 @@ static int virLXCControllerAppendNBDPids(virLXCControllerPtr ctrl,
                                          const char *dev)
 {
     char *pidpath = NULL;
-    pid_t *pids;
-    size_t npids;
+    pid_t *pids = NULL;
+    size_t npids = 0;
     size_t i;
     int ret = -1;
     pid_t pid;