diff --git a/sound/pci/hda/patch_realtek.c b/sound/pci/hda/patch_realtek.c
index f1ce7d7f5aa3..2bf678917e87 100644
--- a/sound/pci/hda/patch_realtek.c
+++ b/sound/pci/hda/patch_realtek.c
@@ -2547,7 +2547,7 @@ static struct snd_kcontrol_new alc_beep_mixer[] = {
 static int alc_build_controls(struct hda_codec *codec)
 {
 	struct alc_spec *spec = codec->spec;
-	struct snd_kcontrol *kctl;
+	struct snd_kcontrol *kctl = NULL;
 	struct snd_kcontrol_new *knew;
 	int i, j, err;
 	unsigned int u;