diff --git a/files/acme-primitives.py b/files/acme-primitives.py
index c59127b..53d0ee6 100755
--- a/files/acme-primitives.py
+++ b/files/acme-primitives.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ def get_cert(directory, acc, csr, challenge_hook):
 	try:
 		finalized_orderr = client_acme.poll_and_finalize(orderr)
 	except ValidationError as e:
+		msg = ''
 		for auth in e.failed_authzrs:
 			msg += '\n Authorization for identifier %s failed.' % (
 				auth.body.identifier)