diff --git a/examples/python/gi/ovs-external-ids.py b/examples/python/gi/ovs-external-ids.py
index 63f9695ea6..b8db9c0788 100755
--- a/examples/python/gi/ovs-external-ids.py
+++ b/examples/python/gi/ovs-external-ids.py
@@ -222,7 +222,6 @@ def die_usage(msg):
 
 
 def parse_args(argv):
-    had_dash_dash = False
     args = {
         "mode": MODE_GET,
         "select_arg": None,