diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/particles.cxx b/simgear/scene/model/particles.cxx
index 246498ad..ac4fc0bb 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/particles.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/particles.cxx
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ osg::Group * Particles::appendParticles(const SGPropertyNode* configNode,
         osgParticle::RandomRateCounter* counter
             = new osgParticle::RandomRateCounter;
         emitter->setCounter(counter);
-        float pps, spread;
+        float pps = 0.0f, spread = 0.0f;
         const SGPropertyNode* ppsnode = counternode->getChild("pps");
 
         if (ppsnode) {