diff --git a/Lib/sqlite3/test/hooks.py b/Lib/sqlite3/test/hooks.py
index 801a30cc34e..d74e74bf272 100644
--- a/Lib/sqlite3/test/hooks.py
+++ b/Lib/sqlite3/test/hooks.py
@@ -177,9 +177,7 @@ class ProgressTests(unittest.TestCase):
         Test that returning a non-zero value stops the operation in progress.
         """
         con = sqlite.connect(":memory:")
-        progress_calls = []
         def progress():
-            progress_calls.append(None)
             return 1
         con.set_progress_handler(progress, 1)
         curs = con.cursor()