diff --git a/src/osgGA/DriveManipulator.cpp b/src/osgGA/DriveManipulator.cpp
index 4862aa143..16e1ff6ef 100644
--- a/src/osgGA/DriveManipulator.cpp
+++ b/src/osgGA/DriveManipulator.cpp
@@ -48,10 +48,13 @@ DriveManipulator::DriveManipulator()
     _velocity = 0.0;
     _height = getHeightOfDriver();
     _buffer = _height*2.5;
-    _pitch = 0.0;
+
     //_speedMode = USE_MOUSE_Y_FOR_SPEED;
     _speedMode = USE_MOUSE_BUTTONS_FOR_SPEED;
 
+    _pitch = 0.0;
+    _distance = 0.0;
+
     _pitchUpKeyPressed = false;
     _pitchDownKeyPressed = false;