diff --git a/src/msw/gsockmsw.c b/src/msw/gsockmsw.c
index 96b237f104..f9efe7cb86 100644
--- a/src/msw/gsockmsw.c
+++ b/src/msw/gsockmsw.c
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ static int firstAvailable;
 
 int _GSocket_GUI_Init(void)
 {
-  LPCTSTR pclassname;
+  static LPCTSTR pclassname = NULL;
   int i;
 
   /* Create internal window for event notifications */