diff --git a/test/provider_internal_test.c b/test/provider_internal_test.c
index 9998e6bf97..e4cc354f22 100644
--- a/test/provider_internal_test.c
+++ b/test/provider_internal_test.c
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ static OSSL_PARAM greeting_request[] = {
 
 static int test_provider(OSSL_PROVIDER *prov, const char *expected_greeting)
 {
-    const char *greeting = NULL;
+    const char *greeting = "no greeting received";
     int ret = 0;
 
     ret =