diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/views.py b/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
index f36936318e..66a860ab15 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ def dashboard(request):
 
     # Global staff can see what courses errored on their dashboard
     staff_access = False
+    errored_courses = []
     if has_access(user, 'global', 'staff'):
         # Show any courses that errored on load
         staff_access = True