diff --git a/libs/canvas/table.cc b/libs/canvas/table.cc
index 717f3924d6..c0f05b2d46 100644
--- a/libs/canvas/table.cc
+++ b/libs/canvas/table.cc
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ Table::compute (Rect const & within)
 	 */
 
 	Distance vpos = padding.up;
-	Distance hpos;
+	Distance hpos = 0;
 
 	for (uint32_t r = 0; r < rows; ++r) {