diff --git a/gio/gresource-tool.c b/gio/gresource-tool.c
index aa718974e..15c370155 100644
--- a/gio/gresource-tool.c
+++ b/gio/gresource-tool.c
@@ -477,8 +477,8 @@ static gint
 cmd_help (gboolean     requested,
           const gchar *command)
 {
-  const gchar *description;
-  const gchar *synopsis;
+  const gchar *description = NULL;
+  const gchar *synopsis = NULL;
   gchar *option;
   GString *string;