diff --git a/subprocess.hpp b/subprocess.hpp
index 7efe047..2b7d950 100755
--- a/subprocess.hpp
+++ b/subprocess.hpp
@@ -1179,7 +1179,6 @@ void Popen::execute_process() throw (CalledProcessError, OSError)
   }
   else
   {
-    int sys_ret = -1;
     close (err_wr_pipe);// close child side of pipe, else get stuck in read below
 
     stream_.close_child_fds();