diff --git a/openapi3/paths.py b/openapi3/paths.py
index f8d0f2e..e30ee07 100644
--- a/openapi3/paths.py
+++ b/openapi3/paths.py
@@ -268,6 +268,7 @@ def _request_handle_parameters(self, parameters={}):
 
     def _request_handle_body(self, data):
         if "application/json" in self.requestBody.content:
+            body = {}
             if isinstance(data, dict) or isinstance(data, list):
                 body = json.dumps(data)