diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
index 595880c..dff45e5 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
@@ -233,9 +233,10 @@
 #endif
 
     /*
-     * Make sure memory references are valid.
+     * Make sure memory references are valid in case we exit early.
      */
     listen_fd = 0;
+    memset( &ssl, 0, sizeof( ssl_context ) );
 #if defined(POLARSSL_X509_CRT_PARSE_C)
     x509_crt_init( &cacert );
     x509_crt_init( &srvcert );