diff --git a/src/WriteXML.py b/src/WriteXML.py
index d99ed4f25..c6ab8e550 100644
--- a/src/WriteXML.py
+++ b/src/WriteXML.py
@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@ try:
     gzip_ok = 1
 except:
     gzip_ok = 0
-    
+
+fileroot = ""
+
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 #