diff --git a/src/read_write_mutex.cpp b/src/read_write_mutex.cpp
index dd06b527..17a5a4f6 100644
--- a/src/read_write_mutex.cpp
+++ b/src/read_write_mutex.cpp
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ bool read_write_mutex_impl<Mutex>::do_timed_read_lock(const boost::xtime &xt)
     if (!l.locked())
         return false;
 
-    bool fail;
+    bool fail = false;
 
     if (m_sp == read_write_scheduling_policy::reader_priority)
     {
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ bool read_write_mutex_impl<Mutex>::do_timed_write_lock(const boost::xtime &xt)
     if (!l.locked())
         return false;
 
-    bool fail;
+    bool fail = false;
 
     if (m_sp == read_write_scheduling_policy::reader_priority)
     {