diff --git a/tools/hv/hv_fcopy_daemon.c b/tools/hv/hv_fcopy_daemon.c
index d78aed86af09..8ff8cb1a11f4 100644
--- a/tools/hv/hv_fcopy_daemon.c
+++ b/tools/hv/hv_fcopy_daemon.c
@@ -234,6 +234,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			break;
 
 		default:
+			error = HV_E_FAIL;
 			syslog(LOG_ERR, "Unknown operation: %d",
 				buffer.hdr.operation);