diff --git a/sample-apps/blank-java/src/main/java/example/Handler.java b/sample-apps/blank-java/src/main/java/example/Handler.java
index 296b5eff..38d566ef 100644
--- a/sample-apps/blank-java/src/main/java/example/Handler.java
+++ b/sample-apps/blank-java/src/main/java/example/Handler.java
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ public String handleRequest(Map<String,String> event, Context context) {
         LambdaLogger logger = context.getLogger();
         logger.log("Handler invoked");
 
-        GetAccountSettingsResponse response = null;
+        GetAccountSettingsResponse response;
         try {
             response = lambdaClient.getAccountSettings();
         } catch(LambdaException e) {