diff --git a/src/evhelper.cpp b/src/evhelper.cpp
index 0bbdd8a..2a3f5ac 100644
--- a/src/evhelper.cpp
+++ b/src/evhelper.cpp
@@ -448,7 +448,6 @@ EvInBuf::~EvInBuf() { refill(0); }
 bool EvInBuf::refill(size_t needed)
 {
     if(err) return false;
-    size_t len = size(); // unconsumed before request
 
     // drain consumed
     if(base && evbuffer_drain(backing, pos-base))