diff --git a/libraries/AC_AttitudeControl/AC_PosControl.cpp b/libraries/AC_AttitudeControl/AC_PosControl.cpp
index dfb1191de2..047eaa83d2 100644
--- a/libraries/AC_AttitudeControl/AC_PosControl.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AC_AttitudeControl/AC_PosControl.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ AC_PosControl::AC_PosControl(const AP_AHRS& ahrs, const AP_InertialNav& inav,
     _dt_xy(POSCONTROL_DT_50HZ),
     _last_update_xy_ms(0),
     _last_update_z_ms(0),
+    _throttle_hover(POSCONTROL_THROTTLE_HOVER),
     _speed_down_cms(POSCONTROL_SPEED_DOWN),
     _speed_up_cms(POSCONTROL_SPEED_UP),
     _speed_cms(POSCONTROL_SPEED),