diff --git a/pgxn/neon/communicator_process.c b/pgxn/neon/communicator_process.c
index e5cdf30ab7..4962c43211 100644
--- a/pgxn/neon/communicator_process.c
+++ b/pgxn/neon/communicator_process.c
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ communicator_new_bgworker_main(Datum main_arg)
 	}
 	else
 	{
+		proc_handle = NULL;
 		success = communicator_worker_process_launch_legacy(&errmsg);
 	}
 	if (!success)