diff --git a/watch.c b/watch.c
index 84fd58be..5c177a28 100644
--- a/watch.c
+++ b/watch.c
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ static int run_command(char *restrict command, char **restrict command_argv)
 
 	reset_ansi();
 	for (y = show_title; y < height; y++) {
-		int eolseen = 0, tabpending = 0, tabwaspending;
+		int eolseen = 0, tabpending = 0, tabwaspending = 0;
 		set_ansi_attribute(-1);
 #ifdef WITH_WATCH8BIT
 		wint_t carry = WEOF;