diff --git a/src/compiler/checker.ts b/src/compiler/checker.ts
index cb28cb0bd5c..d43bd907c46 100644
--- a/src/compiler/checker.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/checker.ts
@@ -11807,7 +11807,7 @@ namespace ts {
             // the entire control flow graph from the variable's declaration (i.e. when the flow container and
             // declaration container are the same).
             const assumeInitialized = isParameter || isOuterVariable ||
-                type !== autoType && type !== autoArrayType && (!strictNullChecks || (type.flags & TypeFlags.Any) !== 0 || isInTypeQuery(node)) ||
+                type !== autoType && type !== autoArrayType && (!strictNullChecks || (type.flags & TypeFlags.Any) !== 0 || isInTypeQuery(node) || node.parent.kind === SyntaxKind.ExportSpecifier) ||
                 isInAmbientContext(declaration);
             const initialType = assumeInitialized ? (isParameter ? removeOptionalityFromDeclaredType(type, getRootDeclaration(declaration) as VariableLikeDeclaration) : type) :
                 type === autoType || type === autoArrayType ? undefinedType :