diff --git a/arch/risc-v/src/common/espressif/esp_irq.c b/arch/risc-v/src/common/espressif/esp_irq.c
index a70c1da33920b..145ce647fa1c0 100644
--- a/arch/risc-v/src/common/espressif/esp_irq.c
+++ b/arch/risc-v/src/common/espressif/esp_irq.c
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ static int esp_cpuint_alloc(int irq)
 {
   uint32_t bitmask;
   uint32_t intset;
-  int cpuint;
+  int cpuint = ESP_NCPUINTS;
 
   /* Check if there are CPU interrupts with the requested properties
    * available.