diff --git a/include/mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp b/include/mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp
index 6dc859235..a97a78189 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/svg/svg_path_adapter.hpp
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ public:
     template<class VertexSource> 
     void concat_path(VertexSource& vs, unsigned path_id = 0)
     {
-        double x, y;
+        double x(0), y(0);
         unsigned cmd;
         vs.rewind(path_id);
         while(!is_stop(cmd = vs.vertex(&x, &y)))