diff --git a/src/SURFEX/modn_isban.F90 b/src/SURFEX/modn_isban.F90
index 2ea5770de36f09326b5d2219eb5302efe3a8cf43..8ea9b57710e4a013a2375ad9e0975d24e016b5a1 100644
--- a/src/SURFEX/modn_isban.F90
+++ b/src/SURFEX/modn_isban.F90
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ LOGICAL  :: LSNOWDRIFT_SUBLIM
 LOGICAL  :: LSNOW_ABS_ZENITH
  CHARACTER(3) :: CSNOWMETAMO
  CHARACTER(3) :: CSNOWRAD
- CHARACTER(LEN=6)  :: CCH_DRY_DEP, CPARAMBVOC
+ CHARACTER(LEN=6)  :: CCH_DRY_DEP, CPARAMBVOC=''
  CHARACTER(LEN=28) :: CCHEM_SURF_FILE
 !
 NAMELIST/NAM_ISBAn/CC1DRY,CSCOND,CSOILFRZ,CDIFSFCOND,CSNOWRES,CCPSURF, &