diff --git a/langchain/memory/chat_message_histories/dynamodb.py b/langchain/memory/chat_message_histories/dynamodb.py
index dfde145713..ef9699221b 100644
--- a/langchain/memory/chat_message_histories/dynamodb.py
+++ b/langchain/memory/chat_message_histories/dynamodb.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ class DynamoDBChatMessageHistory(BaseChatMessageHistory):
         """Retrieve the messages from DynamoDB"""
         from botocore.exceptions import ClientError
 
+        response = None
         try:
             response = self.table.get_item(Key={"SessionId": self.session_id})
         except ClientError as error: