diff --git a/src/keylist.c b/src/keylist.c
index 7956935b..9c5bd4ea 100644
--- a/src/keylist.c
+++ b/src/keylist.c
@@ -1269,6 +1269,8 @@ gpgme_get_key (gpgme_ctx_t ctx, const char *fpr, gpgme_key_t *r_key,
   if (!ctx || !r_key || !fpr)
     return TRACE_ERR (gpg_error (GPG_ERR_INV_VALUE));
 
+  *r_key = NULL;
+
   if (strlen (fpr) < 8)	/* We have at least a key ID.  */
     return TRACE_ERR (gpg_error (GPG_ERR_INV_VALUE));