diff --git a/src/Composer/Command/LicensesCommand.php b/src/Composer/Command/LicensesCommand.php
index 861b889a0..5d05ef74f 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Command/LicensesCommand.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Command/LicensesCommand.php
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ EOT
 
         $versionParser = new VersionParser;
 
+        $packages = array();
         foreach ($repo->getPackages() as $package) {
             $packages[$package->getName()] = $package;
         }