diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 7766946..a3caac8 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -1024,6 +1024,13 @@
 #ifdef FEAT_SIGNS
     init_signs();
 #endif
+
+#ifdef FEAT_QUICKFIX
+    // initialize global quickfix list
+    // don't send an error message when memory allocation fails
+    // do it when the user tries to access the quickfix list
+    qf_init_quickfix_stack();
+#endif
 }
 
 /*