diff --git a/client/electrum.py b/client/electrum.py
index 59f822a52..e6f555896 100755
--- a/client/electrum.py
+++ b/client/electrum.py
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ class Wallet:
 
     def choose_tx_inputs( self, amount, fixed_fee ):
         """ todo: minimize tx size """
-        total = 0 
+        total = fee = 0
         inputs = []
         for addr in self.addresses:
             h = self.history.get(addr)