diff --git a/src/internal.c b/src/internal.c
index 0f77fb2d3..cfd29f80a 100644
--- a/src/internal.c
+++ b/src/internal.c
@@ -11192,7 +11192,7 @@ static WC_INLINE int GrowOutputBuffer(WOLFSSL* ssl, int size)
 #else
     const byte align = WOLFSSL_GENERAL_ALIGNMENT;
 #endif
-    word32 newSz;
+    word32 newSz = 0;
 
 #if WOLFSSL_GENERAL_ALIGNMENT > 0
     /* the encrypted data will be offset from the front of the buffer by