diff --git a/cucul/cucul.c b/cucul/cucul.c
index 9a5a87a..b061041 100644
--- a/cucul/cucul.c
+++ b/cucul/cucul.c
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ cucul_t * cucul_init(unsigned int width, unsigned int height)
 
     cucul_read_environment(qq);
 
+    qq->refcount = 0;
+
     qq->fgcolor = CUCUL_COLOR_LIGHTGRAY;
     qq->bgcolor = CUCUL_COLOR_BLACK;