diff --git a/rootston/desktop.c b/rootston/desktop.c
index e9c1ed30..d4c449f4 100644
--- a/rootston/desktop.c
+++ b/rootston/desktop.c
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ static bool view_at(struct roots_view *view, double lx, double ly,
 	}
 
 	double _sx, _sy;
-	struct wlr_surface *_surface;
+	struct wlr_surface *_surface = NULL;
 	switch (view->type) {
 	case ROOTS_XDG_SHELL_V6_VIEW:
 		_surface = wlr_xdg_surface_v6_surface_at(view->xdg_surface_v6,