diff --git a/lib/ssh.c b/lib/ssh.c
index 3670c750a..00aeca978 100644
--- a/lib/ssh.c
+++ b/lib/ssh.c
@@ -2824,7 +2824,7 @@ static CURLcode ssh_block_statemach(struct connectdata *conn,
 
   while((sshc->state != SSH_STOP) && !result) {
     bool block;
-    time_t left;
+    time_t left = 1000;
     struct timeval now = Curl_tvnow();
 
     result = ssh_statemach_act(conn, &block);