diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Connection.php b/lib/Doctrine/Connection.php
index 0a7205209..1238e9836 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/Connection.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Connection.php
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ abstract class Doctrine_Connection extends Doctrine_Configurable implements Coun
                                         'Sqlite',
                                         'Firebird'
                                         );
-    protected $_count;
+    protected $_count = 0;
 
     /**
      * the constructor
@@ -1132,4 +1132,4 @@ abstract class Doctrine_Connection extends Doctrine_Configurable implements Coun
     {
         return Doctrine_Lib::getConnectionAsString($this);
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}