diff --git a/control.go b/control.go
index 795d19a..feb26bc 100644
--- a/control.go
+++ b/control.go
@@ -66,7 +66,8 @@ func (c *Controller) StartGame(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 	g := c.Games.get(requested_game_name)
 	if g == nil {
 		log.Printf("Game '%s' non-existant; making it now", requested_game_name)
-		g, err := NewGame(requested_game_name, width, height, obstacles, c.Conf.Tick, maxPoints, mode)
+		var err error
+		g, err = NewGame(requested_game_name, width, height, obstacles, c.Conf.Tick, maxPoints, mode)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Printf("problem creating game: %s: %s", requested_game_name, err)
 			b, _ := json.Marshal(NewFailure("game creation failure"))