diff --git a/src/util/language.h b/src/util/language.h
index 1b020e03685..ebe10bba1a8 100644
--- a/src/util/language.h
+++ b/src/util/language.h
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ class languaget:public messaget
 
   static irep_idt get_stub_return_symbol_name(const irep_idt &function_id);
 
-  bool generate_opaque_stubs;
+  bool generate_opaque_stubs=false;
   bool language_options_initialized=false;
 
 private: