diff --git a/arch/sim/src/up_exit.c b/arch/sim/src/up_exit.c
index 0f9c4cc5646..650403b7eba 100644
--- a/arch/sim/src/up_exit.c
+++ b/arch/sim/src/up_exit.c
@@ -73,7 +73,6 @@
 void _exit(int status)
 {
   _TCB* tcb = (_TCB*)g_readytorun.head;
-  irqstate_t flags;
 
   dbg("TCB=%p exitting\n", tcb);