diff --git a/Jenkinsfile b/Jenkinsfile
index 6ce2ffd..20f041b 100644
--- a/Jenkinsfile
+++ b/Jenkinsfile
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ def deployReleaseJobs(def serviceList, String smartgears){
 // collects all the components defined inside one or more yaml categories matching categoryList
 def deployRelease(def categoryList, def yaml){
 	def releaseList = []
-	def portlets
+	def portlets = []
 	String smartgears
 	def categories=categoryList.split(',')
 	yaml.gCube_release.Components.each { group_name, component_list ->