diff --git a/src/sound/snd_sensation.c b/src/sound/snd_sensation.c
index ea87c8391..aeb58fb46 100644
--- a/src/sound/snd_sensation.c
+++ b/src/sound/snd_sensation.c
@@ -808,6 +808,7 @@ sensation_visdac_read(uint16_t port, void *priv)
     sensation_t *visdac = (sensation_t *) priv;
 
     uint8_t ret;
+    ret = 0xff;
 
     switch (port & 0xF) {
         case 0x00: