diff --git a/lisp/org.el b/lisp/org.el
index 0820a8a77..116ef79c7 100644
--- a/lisp/org.el
+++ b/lisp/org.el
@@ -11633,8 +11633,6 @@ from the `before-change-functions' in the current buffer."
 (defvar org-priority-regexp ".*?\\(\\[#\\([A-Z0-9]+\\)\\] ?\\)"
   "Regular expression matching the priority indicator.")
 
-(defvar org-remove-priority-next-time nil)
-
 (defun org-priority-up ()
   "Increase the priority of the current item."
   (interactive)