diff --git a/packages/api/src/controllers/access-control.ts b/packages/api/src/controllers/access-control.ts
index fc27537bd..a6972781c 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/controllers/access-control.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/controllers/access-control.ts
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ async function fireGateWebhook(
 
   const startTime = process.hrtime();
   let resp: Response;
-  let respBody: string;
+  let respBody = "";
   let errorMessage: string;
   let statusCode: number;
   let bodyStatusCode: number;