diff --git a/image_analysis/geom_refinement/XtalOptimizer.cpp b/image_analysis/geom_refinement/XtalOptimizer.cpp
index ccf2eecc..97bc986d 100644
--- a/image_analysis/geom_refinement/XtalOptimizer.cpp
+++ b/image_analysis/geom_refinement/XtalOptimizer.cpp
@@ -415,10 +415,6 @@ bool XtalOptimizerInternal(XtalOptimizerData &data,
 
         const float tolerance_sq = tolerance * tolerance;
 
-        // Choose robust loss function
-        // Cauchy is excellent for crystallography - handles both small errors and gross outliers
-        const double loss_scale = tolerance / 3;  // Tune based on typical residual magnitude
-
         // Add residuals for each point
         for (const auto &pt: spots) {
             if (!data.index_ice_rings && pt.ice_ring)