diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-wmi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-wmi.c
index b227eb4..9dc50fb 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-wmi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-wmi.c
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@
 {
 	struct backlight_device *bd = eeepc->backlight_device;
 	int old = bd->props.brightness;
-	int new;
+	int new = old;
 
 	if (code >= NOTIFY_BRNUP_MIN && code <= NOTIFY_BRNUP_MAX)
 		new = code - NOTIFY_BRNUP_MIN + 1;