diff --git a/cmd/goal/clerk.go b/cmd/goal/clerk.go
index 6625e96c9b..3c734a2e98 100644
--- a/cmd/goal/clerk.go
+++ b/cmd/goal/clerk.go
@@ -477,8 +477,9 @@ var sendCmd = &cobra.Command{
 					Args:  programArgs,
 				},
 			}
+			var authAddr basics.Address
 			if signerAddress != "" {
-				var authAddr, err = basics.UnmarshalChecksumAddress(signerAddress)
+				authAddr, err = basics.UnmarshalChecksumAddress(signerAddress)
 				if err != nil {
 					reportErrorf("Signer invalid (%s): %v", signerAddress, err)
 				}