diff --git a/Microsoft.SystemForCrossDomainIdentityManagement/Protocol/Core2EnterpriseUserExtensions.cs b/Microsoft.SystemForCrossDomainIdentityManagement/Protocol/Core2EnterpriseUserExtensions.cs
index 69cdaab5..0a507724 100644
--- a/Microsoft.SystemForCrossDomainIdentityManagement/Protocol/Core2EnterpriseUserExtensions.cs
+++ b/Microsoft.SystemForCrossDomainIdentityManagement/Protocol/Core2EnterpriseUserExtensions.cs
@@ -929,8 +929,8 @@ private static void PatchPhoneNumbers(this Core2EnterpriseUser user, PatchOperat
                 return;
             }
 
-            PhoneNumber phoneNumber;
-            PhoneNumber phoneNumberExisting;
+            PhoneNumber phoneNumber = null;
+            PhoneNumber phoneNumberExisting = null;
             if (user.PhoneNumbers != null)
             {
                 phoneNumberExisting =
@@ -941,7 +941,8 @@ private static void PatchPhoneNumbers(this Core2EnterpriseUser user, PatchOperat
                             (PhoneNumber item) =>
                                 string.Equals(subAttribute.ComparisonValue, item.ItemType, StringComparison.Ordinal));
             }
-            else
+            
+            if(null == phoneNumber)
             {
                 phoneNumberExisting = null;
                 phoneNumber =