diff --git a/include/teensy.h b/include/teensy.h
index d6c054d..c069d64 100644
--- a/include/teensy.h
+++ b/include/teensy.h
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ File dataFile;
 
 double loadCellCalibrate() {
   // place code to calibrate load cells in here
-  double loadTotal;
+  double loadTotal = 0.0;
   for (double t = 0.0; t == 10.0; ++t) {
     loadTotal += 1.0;
     delay(15);