diff --git a/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/contactlist/MetaContactImpl.java b/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/contactlist/MetaContactImpl.java
index 91abdf412..6bce0b4f8 100644
--- a/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/contactlist/MetaContactImpl.java
+++ b/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/contactlist/MetaContactImpl.java
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ void reevalContact()
     {
         synchronized (parentGroupModLock)
         {
-            int totalStatus = 0;
+            this.totalStatus = 0;
 
             //first lightremove or otherwise we won't be able to get hold of the
             //contact