diff --git a/lib/libpkix/pkix/util/pkix_list.c b/lib/libpkix/pkix/util/pkix_list.c
--- a/lib/libpkix/pkix/util/pkix_list.c
+++ b/lib/libpkix/pkix/util/pkix_list.c
@@ -1530,17 +1530,17 @@ cleanup:
  */
 PKIX_Error *
 PKIX_List_SetItem(
         PKIX_List *list,
         PKIX_UInt32 index,
         PKIX_PL_Object *item,
         void *plContext)
 {
-        PKIX_List *element;
+        PKIX_List *element = NULL;
 
         PKIX_ENTER(LIST, "PKIX_List_SetItem");
         PKIX_NULLCHECK_ONE(list);
 
         if (list->immutable){
                 PKIX_ERROR(PKIX_OPERATIONNOTPERMITTEDONIMMUTABLELIST);
         }