diff --git a/modules/user/user.module b/modules/user/user.module
index 9342935..3f62d3f 100644
--- a/modules/user/user.module
+++ b/modules/user/user.module
@@ -1480,6 +1480,7 @@ function template_preprocess_user_picture(&$variables) {
 function theme_user_list($variables) {
   $users = $variables['users'];
   $title = $variables['title'];
+  $items = array();
 
   if (!empty($users)) {
     foreach ($users as $user) {