diff --git a/i3-msg/main.c b/i3-msg/main.c
index 4c0efbaa..193d04e9 100644
--- a/i3-msg/main.c
+++ b/i3-msg/main.c
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ static void ipc_recv_message(int sockfd, uint32_t message_type,
 int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         char *socket_path = "/tmp/i3-ipc.sock";
         int o, option_index = 0;
-        int message_type;
+        int message_type = I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_COMMAND;
         char *payload = "";
         bool quiet = false;