diff --git a/lib/paymentrequest.py b/lib/paymentrequest.py
index eae982f1..012e7e09 100644
--- a/lib/paymentrequest.py
+++ b/lib/paymentrequest.py
@@ -352,6 +352,7 @@ def make_request(config, req, alias=None, alias_privkey=None):
     pr = make_unsigned_request(req)
     key_path = config.get('ssl_privkey')
     cert_path = config.get('ssl_chain')
+    requestor = None
 
     if key_path and cert_path:
         sign_request_with_x509(pr, key_path, cert_path)