diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
index 98d25a64c8..8c84299e08 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
@@ -421,8 +421,8 @@ private:
     AtRestDetector _hmdAtRestDetector;
     bool _lastIsMoving { false };
     bool _hoverReferenceCameraFacingIsCaptured { false };
-    glm::vec3 _hoverReferenceCameraFacing; // hmd sensor space
-    
+    glm::vec3 _hoverReferenceCameraFacing { 0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f }; // hmd sensor space
+
     float AVATAR_MOVEMENT_ENERGY_CONSTANT { 0.001f };
     float AUDIO_ENERGY_CONSTANT { 0.000001f };
     float MAX_AVATAR_MOVEMENT_PER_FRAME { 30.0f };