diff --git a/include/nana/gui/basis.hpp b/include/nana/gui/basis.hpp
index e6ee771c..fdb86db6 100644
--- a/include/nana/gui/basis.hpp
+++ b/include/nana/gui/basis.hpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ namespace nana
 
 	struct accel_key
 	{
-		char key;
+		char key{ '\0' };
 		bool case_sensitive{ false };
 		bool alt{ false };
 		bool ctrl{ false };