diff --git a/components/nif/controller.hpp b/components/nif/controller.hpp
index 33c04a6d35..947fae1ab2 100644
--- a/components/nif/controller.hpp
+++ b/components/nif/controller.hpp
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ namespace Nif
         };
 
         NiPosDataPtr mData;
-        TargetColor mTargetColor;
+        TargetColor mTargetColor = TargetColor::Ambient;
 
         void read(NIFStream* nif) override;
         void post(Reader& nif) override;