diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_tables_core.c b/net/netfilter/nf_tables_core.c
index 804105391b9a..4368c5850548 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_tables_core.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_tables_core.c
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ nft_do_chain(struct nft_pktinfo *pkt, const struct nf_hook_ops *ops)
 	struct nft_data data[NFT_REG_MAX + 1];
 	unsigned int stackptr = 0;
 	struct nft_jumpstack jumpstack[NFT_JUMP_STACK_SIZE];
-	int rulenum = 0;
+	int rulenum;
 	/*
 	 * Cache cursor to avoid problems in case that the cursor is updated
 	 * while traversing the ruleset.
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ nft_do_chain(struct nft_pktinfo *pkt, const struct nf_hook_ops *ops)
 	unsigned int gencursor = ACCESS_ONCE(chain->net->nft.gencursor);
 
 do_chain:
+	rulenum = 0;
 	rule = list_entry(&chain->rules, struct nft_rule, list);
 next_rule:
 	data[NFT_REG_VERDICT].verdict = NFT_CONTINUE;