diff --git a/hash.c b/hash.c
index 63333b6b5f..a98c4da71a 100644
--- a/hash.c
+++ b/hash.c
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ linear_update(VALUE hash, st_data_t key,
               st_update_callback_func *func, st_data_t arg)
 {
     int retval, existing;
-    unsigned bin;
+    unsigned bin = RHASH_ARRAY_MAX_BOUND;
     st_data_t value = 0, old_key;
     st_hash_t hash_value = do_hash(key);