diff --git a/jwm/src/place.c b/jwm/src/place.c
index 17358d1..e03a07a 100644
--- a/jwm/src/place.c
+++ b/jwm/src/place.c
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ void GetGravityDelta(const ClientNode *np, int *x, int  *y) {
 /** Move the window in the specified direction for reparenting. */
 void GravitateClient(ClientNode *np, int negate) {
 
-   int deltax, deltay;
+   int deltax = 0, deltay = 0;
 
    Assert(np);