--- a/common_syndication_parser.inc
+++ b/common_syndication_parser.inc
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@
     }
 
     $author_found = FALSE;
+    $original_author = '';
     if (!empty($news->source->author->name)) {
       $original_author = "{$news->source->author->name}";
       $author_found = TRUE;