diff --git a/examples/test b/examples/test
index 81076701..7590e128 100755
--- a/examples/test
+++ b/examples/test
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ strip_prompt=false
 # If diff supports --strip-trailing-cr, use it, to avoid EOL issues
 # when testing Java programs on Windows.
 echo "checking for diff --strip-trailing-cr..."
+diff_opts=
 if diff --strip-trailing-cr "$1" "$1"; then
   diff_opts=--strip-trailing-cr
 fi