diff --git a/gtk/gtklabel.c b/gtk/gtklabel.c
index 56610b4bf6..d5deb5759b 100644
--- a/gtk/gtklabel.c
+++ b/gtk/gtklabel.c
@@ -1256,6 +1256,7 @@ gtk_label_init (GtkLabel *label)
   priv->width_chars = -1;
   priv->max_width_chars = -1;
   priv->label = NULL;
+  priv->lines = -1;
 
   priv->jtype = GTK_JUSTIFY_LEFT;
   priv->wrap = FALSE;