diff --git a/src/libstore/store-api.cc b/src/libstore/store-api.cc
index 5ea2219bd71..9452ca1e77c 100644
--- a/src/libstore/store-api.cc
+++ b/src/libstore/store-api.cc
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ StorePath Store::makeFixedOutputPathFromCA(std::string_view name, const ContentA
 std::pair<StorePath, Hash> Store::computeStorePathForPath(std::string_view name,
     const Path & srcPath, FileIngestionMethod method, HashType hashAlgo, PathFilter & filter) const
 {
-    Hash h { htSHA256 }; // throwaway def to appease C++
+    Hash h { htSHA256 }; // throwaway init value to appease C++
     switch (method) {
     case FileIngestionMethod::Recursive: {
         h = hashPath(hashAlgo, srcPath, filter).first;