diff --git a/privval/file.go b/privval/file.go
index 28a79f587..213e1760e 100644
--- a/privval/file.go
+++ b/privval/file.go
@@ -405,6 +405,7 @@ func (pv *FilePV) signVote(chainID string, vote *tmproto.Vote) error {
 
 	// Sign the vote extension, if any
 	if len(vote.Extension) > 0 {
+		var err error
 		vote.ExtensionSignature, err = pv.Key.PrivKey.Sign(vote.Extension)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err