diff --git a/include/ws_functions/pwg.users.php b/include/ws_functions/pwg.users.php
index e997be81d..b0d4dfc45 100644
--- a/include/ws_functions/pwg.users.php
+++ b/include/ws_functions/pwg.users.php
@@ -238,6 +238,7 @@ SELECT DISTINCT ';
   }
   $users = array();
   $result = pwg_query($query);
+  $total_count = 0;
 
   /* GET THE RESULT OF SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS if display total_count is requested*/
   if (isset($params['display']['total_count'])) {