diff --git a/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClientSecure.h b/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClientSecure.h
index f3d377e8d..8ce11f939 100644
--- a/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClientSecure.h
+++ b/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClientSecure.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
 protected:
     int _connectSSL();
 
-    SSLContext* _ssl;
+    SSLContext* _ssl = nullptr;
 };
 
 #endif //wificlientsecure_h