diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
index 91e6828c38cc..fb8d4067b76c 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
@@ -1830,8 +1830,8 @@ static int
 record__switch_output(struct record *rec, bool at_exit)
 {
 	struct perf_data *data = &rec->data;
+	char *new_filename = NULL;
 	int fd, err;
-	char *new_filename;
 
 	/* Same Size:      "2015122520103046"*/
 	char timestamp[] = "InvalidTimestamp";