diff --git a/Lib/xml/dom/expatbuilder.py b/Lib/xml/dom/expatbuilder.py
index 5e769ca6cd3..59e3ac4fefb 100644
--- a/Lib/xml/dom/expatbuilder.py
+++ b/Lib/xml/dom/expatbuilder.py
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ class ExpatBuilder:
         node = self.document.createComment(data)
         _append_child(self.curNode, node)
         if self._filter and self._filter.acceptNode(node) == FILTER_REJECT:
-            curNode.removeChild(node)
+            self.curNode.removeChild(node)
 
     def start_cdata_section_handler(self):
         self._cdata = True