diff --git a/gnucash/gnucash-bin.c b/gnucash/gnucash-bin.c
index 2592d2e74c..1a9b81c21f 100644
--- a/gnucash/gnucash-bin.c
+++ b/gnucash/gnucash-bin.c
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ static void
 inner_main (void *closure, int argc, char **argv)
 {
     SCM main_mod;
-    char* fn;
+    char* fn = NULL;
 
     scm_c_eval_string("(debug-set! stack 200000)");
 
@@ -654,6 +654,7 @@ inner_main (void *closure, int argc, char **argv)
     }
     else if (gnc_prefs_get_bool(GNC_PREFS_GROUP_NEW_USER, GNC_PREF_FIRST_STARTUP))
     {
+        g_free(fn); /* fn could be an empty string ("") */
         gnc_destroy_splash_screen();
         gnc_ui_new_user_dialog();
     }