diff --git a/Common/Serialize/Serializer.cpp b/Common/Serialize/Serializer.cpp
index 9e06b9ba04..b222d60be9 100644
--- a/Common/Serialize/Serializer.cpp
+++ b/Common/Serialize/Serializer.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,9 @@ void PointerWrap::SetError(Error error_) {
 		// and also not logspam like MEASURE will do in an error case.
 		mode = PointerWrap::MODE_NOOP;
 		// Also, remember the bad section.
-		firstBadSectionTitle_ = curTitle_;
+		if (!firstBadSectionTitle_) {
+			firstBadSectionTitle_ = curTitle_;
+		}
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/Common/Serialize/Serializer.h b/Common/Serialize/Serializer.h
index 89a512c26d..e583391f28 100644
--- a/Common/Serialize/Serializer.h
+++ b/Common/Serialize/Serializer.h
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ public:
 
 private:
 	const char *firstBadSectionTitle_ = nullptr;
-	const char *curTitle_;
+	const char *curTitle_ = nullptr;
 	u8 *ptrStart_;
 	u8 *end_ = nullptr;
 	std::vector<SerializeCheckpoint> checkpoints_;