diff --git a/compareMCMCs/R/MCMCdef_jags.R b/compareMCMCs/R/MCMCdef_jags.R
index 01c4c37..9f8b08c 100644
--- a/compareMCMCs/R/MCMCdef_jags.R
+++ b/compareMCMCs/R/MCMCdef_jags.R
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ MCMCdef_jags_impl <- function(MCMCinfo,
     })
     setupTime <- setupTimeResult[3]
     
+    burninTimeResult <- system.time(0)   ## needs to be defined even when burnin = 0
     burninTime <- 0
     if(MCMCcontrol$burnin > 0) {
         burninTimeResult <- system.time(update(object = jags_mod,