diff --git a/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_test.py b/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_test.py
index fcc51b3482..bd382500b2 100755
--- a/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_test.py
+++ b/dist/tools/compile_test/compile_test.py
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ def is_tracked(application_folder):
         return True
 
 def get_results_and_output_from(fd):
+    read_more_output = True
     results_prefix = 'Building for '
     output_prefix = 'Building application '
     prev_results = False