diff --git a/src/server/distrenjob.c b/src/server/distrenjob.c
--- a/src/server/distrenjob.c
+++ b/src/server/distrenjob.c
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ int distrenjob_new(struct distrenjob **d
   dj->assigned_frames = 0;
   dj->total_render_time = 0;
   dj->hibernate = 0;
+  dj->prev_frame_index = 5;
   dj->watchdog_forgiveness = 3600; // initialize watchdog forgiveness at 1 hour
   dj->frameset = (struct frameset *)NULL; /*< @todo does frameset need to be initialized here? */