diff --git a/samples/life/life.cpp b/samples/life/life.cpp
index 5c771aec69..29a7d4d754 100644
--- a/samples/life/life.cpp
+++ b/samples/life/life.cpp
@@ -522,6 +522,7 @@ LifeCanvas::LifeCanvas(wxWindow *parent, Life *life)
 {
     m_life     = life;
     m_cellsize = 8;
+	m_bmp      = NULL;
     Reset();
 }