diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 7d9df370..d399457a 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -734,6 +734,7 @@ if command -v ${BASHCMD} > /dev/null; then
     printf "Yes (%s).\n" "$bash_absolute"
 else
     have_bash=0
+    bash_absolute=
     printf "No. (%s not found)\n" "${BASHCMD}"
 fi
 
@@ -744,6 +745,7 @@ if command -v ${PERL} > /dev/null; then
     printf "Yes (%s).\n" "$perl_absolute"
 else
     have_perl=0
+    perl_absolute=
     printf "No. (%s not found)\n" "${PERL}"
 fi