diff --git a/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/elasticsearch.bat b/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/elasticsearch.bat
index e6bcc634452..3a9d561e2e3 100644
--- a/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/elasticsearch.bat
+++ b/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/elasticsearch.bat
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ TITLE Elasticsearch ${project.version}
 SET params='%*'
 
 rem TODO: remove for Elasticsearch 6.x
+set bad_env_var=0
 if not "%ES_MIN_MEM%" == "" set bad_env_var=1
 if not "%ES_MAX_MEM%" == "" set bad_env_var=1
 if not "%ES_HEAP_SIZE%" == "" set bad_env_var=1
diff --git a/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/service.bat b/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/service.bat
index 2519550f4aa..3d73c37b823 100644
--- a/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/service.bat
+++ b/distribution/src/main/resources/bin/service.bat
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ SETLOCAL enabledelayedexpansion
 TITLE Elasticsearch Service ${project.version}
 
 rem TODO: remove for Elasticsearch 6.x
+set bad_env_var=0
 if not "%ES_MIN_MEM%" == "" set bad_env_var=1
 if not "%ES_MAX_MEM%" == "" set bad_env_var=1
 if not "%ES_HEAP_SIZE%" == "" set bad_env_var=1