diff --git a/cat.c b/cat.c
index b9726e1..00f986f 100755
--- a/cat.c
+++ b/cat.c
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
   FILE * cur_in_file;
   int i; char c;
 
-  int using_unbuffered_output;
+  int using_unbuffered_output = 0;
 
-  int error_occurred;
+  int error_occurred = 0;
 
   /*
     Check for -u and use unbuffered output if present