diff --git a/src/appfinder-category-model.c b/src/appfinder-category-model.c
index 483c4cc..ceba3dc 100644
--- a/src/appfinder-category-model.c
+++ b/src/appfinder-category-model.c
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ xfce_appfinder_category_model_init (XfceAppfinderCategoryModel *model)
   /* generate a unique stamp */
   model->stamp = g_random_int ();
   model->icon_size = XFCE_APPFINDER_ICON_SIZE_DEFAULT_CATEGORY;
+  model->categories = NULL;
   model->all_applications = g_object_new (GARCON_TYPE_MENU_DIRECTORY,
                                           "name", _("All Applications"),
                                           "icon-name", "applications-other", NULL);