diff --git a/redbot/cogs/cleanup/cleanup.py b/redbot/cogs/cleanup/cleanup.py
index d93079396..1cb741a27 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/cleanup/cleanup.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/cleanup/cleanup.py
@@ -348,6 +348,7 @@ class Cleanup(commands.Cog):
 
         channel = ctx.channel
         author = ctx.author
+        before = None
 
         if message_id:
             try: