--- a/functions.c
+++ b/functions.c
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ ML0(reset_shell_mode,unit)
 ML0(resetty,unit)
 ML0(savetty,unit)
 ML0d(getsyx,int*int)
-BEG0 int x,y; getsyx(y,x); r_int_int(y,x); END
+BEG0 int x=0,y=0; getsyx(y,x); r_int_int(y,x); END
 ML2(setsyx,unit,int,int)
 ML1(curs_set,err,int)
 ML1(napms,unit,int)