diff --git a/src/os2/bitmap.cpp b/src/os2/bitmap.cpp
index b93b3e23f5..c2c99bb980 100644
--- a/src/os2/bitmap.cpp
+++ b/src/os2/bitmap.cpp
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ bool wxBitmap::LoadFile(
 , long                              lType
 )
 {
-    HPS                             hPs;
+    HPS                             hPs = NULLHANDLE;
 
     UnRef();