diff --git a/src/main/java/com/actelion/research/chem/SmilesAtomParser.java b/src/main/java/com/actelion/research/chem/SmilesAtomParser.java
index 032c73f0..ca5b5dac 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/actelion/research/chem/SmilesAtomParser.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/actelion/research/chem/SmilesAtomParser.java
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ public SmilesAtomParser(SmilesParser parser, int mode) {
 		mParentParser = parser;
 		mMode = mode;
 		mAllowCactvs = (mode & SmilesParser.MODE_NO_CACTUS_SYNTAX) == 0;
+		atomicNo = -1;
 		charge = 0;
 		mapNo = 0;
 		abnormalValence = -1;