diff --git a/sys/shell/cmds/dfplayer.c b/sys/shell/cmds/dfplayer.c
index 486edb6868..ba8d559182 100644
--- a/sys/shell/cmds/dfplayer.c
+++ b/sys/shell/cmds/dfplayer.c
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ static void _print_equalizer(dfplayer_t *dev)
 
 static void _print_mode(dfplayer_t *dev)
 {
-    dfplayer_mode_t mode;
+    dfplayer_mode_t mode = {0};
     int retval = dfplayer_get_mode(dev, &mode);
     if (retval) {
         _print_error(retval);