diff --git a/arogue5/player.c b/arogue5/player.c
index cafdaad..71c34df 100644
--- a/arogue5/player.c
+++ b/arogue5/player.c
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ cast()
 
     else if (slow_invent) {
 	register char c;
-        char *spellp;
+        char *spellp = "";
 
 	for (i=0; i<num_spells; i++) {
 	    msg("");
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ pray()
 
     else if (slow_invent) {
 	register char c;
-        char *prayerp;
+        char *prayerp = "";
 
 	for (i=0; i<num_prayers; i++) {
 	    msg("");