diff --git a/src/contact.c b/src/contact.c
index 3b0d1944..9188b5f0 100644
--- a/src/contact.c
+++ b/src/contact.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ p_contact_new(const char * const jid, const char * const name,
     if (subscription != NULL)
         contact->subscription = strdup(subscription);
     else
-        contact->subscription = NULL;
+        contact->subscription = strdup("none");;
 
     return contact;
 }