diff --git a/Classes/Backend/ToolbarItem/VersionToolbarItem.php b/Classes/Backend/ToolbarItem/VersionToolbarItem.php
index de5a570ea..743c10ca3 100644
--- a/Classes/Backend/ToolbarItem/VersionToolbarItem.php
+++ b/Classes/Backend/ToolbarItem/VersionToolbarItem.php
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ public function addVersionInformation(SystemInformationToolbarItem $systemInform
 
         // Try to get current version from git
         if (file_exists($extensionDirectory . '.git')) {
+            $returnCode = 0;
             CommandUtility::exec('git --version', $_, $returnCode);
             if ((int)$returnCode === 0) {
                 $currentDir = (string) getcwd();