diff --git a/src/search.c b/src/search.c
index 27b9ac1..163605c 100644
--- a/src/search.c
+++ b/src/search.c
@@ -1891,6 +1891,8 @@
 
     do_quotes = -1;
     start_in_quotes = MAYBE;
+    clearpos(&match_pos);
+
     /* backward search: Check if this line contains a single-line comment */
     if ((backwards && comment_dir)
 #ifdef FEAT_LISP
@@ -3096,6 +3098,7 @@
     int		include_white = FALSE;
 
     cls_bigword = bigword;
+    clearpos(&start_pos);
 
 #ifdef FEAT_VISUAL
     /* Correct cursor when 'selection' is exclusive */