diff --git a/contrib/hooks/post-receive-email b/contrib/hooks/post-receive-email
index ba077c13f9..ac2e0ed31b 100755
--- a/contrib/hooks/post-receive-email
+++ b/contrib/hooks/post-receive-email
@@ -85,7 +85,6 @@ prep_for_email()
 	oldrev=$(git rev-parse $1)
 	newrev=$(git rev-parse $2)
 	refname="$3"
-	maxlines=$4
 
 	# --- Interpret
 	# 0000->1234 (create)