--- a/resolv/res_init.c	
+++ a/resolv/res_init.c	
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ __res_vinit(res_state statp, int preinit) {
 #endif
 	statp->nsaddr.sin_family = AF_INET;
 	statp->nsaddr.sin_port = htons(NAMESERVER_PORT);
-	statp->nscount = 0;
+	statp->nscount = 1;
 	statp->ndots = 1;
 	statp->pfcode = 0;
 	statp->_vcsock = -1;
@@ -420,7 +420,8 @@ __res_vinit(res_state statp, int preinit) {
 		    continue;
 		}
 	    }
-	    statp->nscount = nservall;
+	    if (nservall > 0)
+	      statp->nscount = nservall;
 #ifdef _LIBC
 	    if (nservall - nserv > 0) {
 		statp->_u._ext.nscount6 = nservall - nserv;