diff --git a/RecoHI/HiJetAlgos/plugins/HiPuRhoProducer.cc b/RecoHI/HiJetAlgos/plugins/HiPuRhoProducer.cc
index b6d2e3fccec71..190bc65570a94 100644
--- a/RecoHI/HiJetAlgos/plugins/HiPuRhoProducer.cc
+++ b/RecoHI/HiJetAlgos/plugins/HiPuRhoProducer.cc
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class HiPuRhoProducer : public edm::stream::EDProducer<> {
   // This checks if the tower is anomalous (if a calo tower).
   virtual void inputTowers();
 
-  bool postOrphan_;
+  bool postOrphan_ = false;
   bool setInitialValue_;
 
   const bool dropZeroTowers_;