diff --git a/lib/net/http/digest_auth.rb b/lib/net/http/digest_auth.rb
index 080f286..f691cfa 100644
--- a/lib/net/http/digest_auth.rb
+++ b/lib/net/http/digest_auth.rb
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Error < RuntimeError; end
 
   def initialize ignored = :ignored
     mon_initialize
-    @nonce_count = -1
+    @nonce_count = 0
   end
 
   ##