diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/GleamAnimation.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/GleamAnimation.java
index c0fcc394..98e20a37 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/GleamAnimation.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/GleamAnimation.java
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ public class GleamAnimation extends Animation
     protected int _downmillis;
     protected int _maxAlpha = 750;
     protected int _minAlpha;
-    protected int _alpha = -1;
+    protected int _alpha;
     protected long _lastUpdate;
     protected int _millisBetweenUpdates;
 }