diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/generated_message_table_driven_lite.h b/src/google/protobuf/generated_message_table_driven_lite.h
index b36e51ba22..8cf177be46 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/generated_message_table_driven_lite.h
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/generated_message_table_driven_lite.h
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ static inline bool HandleString(io::CodedInputStream* input, MessageLite* msg,
 
   switch (ctype) {
     case StringType_INLINED: {
-      InlinedStringField* s;
+      InlinedStringField* s = nullptr;
       switch (cardinality) {
         case Cardinality_SINGULAR:
           // TODO(ckennelly): Is this optimal?