diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_compass/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_compass/init.lua
index debe5e563..311088d8c 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_compass/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_compass/init.lua
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ local random_timer_trigger = 0.5 -- random compass spinning tick in seconds. Inc
 local random_frame = math.random(0, compass_frames-1)
 
 function mcl_compass.get_compass_image(pos, dir, itemstack)
+	local compass_image = ""
 	-- Compasses do not work in certain zones
     local lodestone_pos = minetest.string_to_pos(itemstack:get_meta():get_string("pointsto"))