diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tools/data_fetch.py b/lib/galaxy/tools/data_fetch.py
index b443dde1290..5cb0dca98bd 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tools/data_fetch.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tools/data_fetch.py
@@ -306,6 +306,7 @@ def _fetch_target(upload_config: "UploadConfig", target: dict[str, Any]):
             requested_transform.append({"action": "to_posix_lines"})
         source_dict["requested_transform"] = requested_transform
         effective_state = "ok"
+        stdout: Optional[str] = None
         if not deferred and not error_message:
             in_place = item.get("in_place", default_in_place)
             purge_source = item.get("purge_source", True)