diff --git a/cmd/present/static/notes.js b/cmd/present/static/notes.js
index b584b708..288ef4c7 100644
--- a/cmd/present/static/notes.js
+++ b/cmd/present/static/notes.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function initNotes() {
   var slidesUrl = window.location.href;
 
   var curSlide = parseInt(localStorage.getItem('destSlide'), 10);
-  var formattedNotes;
+  var formattedNotes = '';
   var section = sections[curSlide - 1];
   // curSlide is 0 when initialized from the first page of slides.
   // Check if section is valid before retrieving Notes.
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ function initNotes() {
   w.addEventListener('storage', updateNotes, false);
 };
 
-
 function formatNotes(notes) {
   var formattedNotes = '';
   if (notes) {