diff --git a/examples/chef/common/chef-fan-control-manager.cpp b/examples/chef/common/chef-fan-control-manager.cpp
index 3be024c33d4d5b..56576febd693d4 100644
--- a/examples/chef/common/chef-fan-control-manager.cpp
+++ b/examples/chef/common/chef-fan-control-manager.cpp
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Status ChefFanControlManager::HandleStep(StepDirectionEnum aDirection, bool aWra
     status = SpeedSetting::Get(mEndpoint, speedSetting);
     VerifyOrReturnError(EMBER_ZCL_STATUS_SUCCESS == status, Status::InvalidCommand);
 
-    uint8_t newSpeedSetting;
+    uint8_t newSpeedSetting    = speedSetting.ValueOr(0);
     uint8_t speedValue         = speedSetting.ValueOr(speedCurrent);
     const uint8_t kLowestSpeed = aLowestOff ? 0 : 1;