diff --git a/tests/topotests/lib/bgp.py b/tests/topotests/lib/bgp.py
index 0bd23c2b16b2..4250c405f3dc 100644
--- a/tests/topotests/lib/bgp.py
+++ b/tests/topotests/lib/bgp.py
@@ -1012,6 +1012,7 @@ def __create_bgp_unicast_address_family(
     for peer_name, peer_dict in deepcopy(neigh_data).items():
         for dest_link, peer in peer_dict["dest_link"].items():
             deactivate = None
+            activate = None
             nh_details = topo[peer_name]
             activate_addr_family = peer.setdefault("activate", None)
             deactivate_addr_family = peer.setdefault("deactivate", None)