static int show_diffstat = 1, option_log, squash;
static int option_commit = 1, allow_fast_forward = 1;
static int allow_trivial = 1, have_message;
-static struct strbuf merge_msg;
+static struct strbuf merge_msg = STRBUF_INIT;
static struct commit_list *remoteheads;
static unsigned char head[20], stash[20];
static struct strategy **use_strategies;