diff --git a/src/eval.c b/src/eval.c
index 26aa0e3..4423419 100644
--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -729,6 +729,7 @@
 	    return FAIL;
 	if (*s != NUL)  /* check for trailing chars after expr */
 	{
+	    clear_tv(rettv);
 	    EMSG2(_(e_invexpr2), s);
 	    return FAIL;
 	}