diff --git a/lib/gssapi/krb5/external.c b/lib/gssapi/krb5/external.c
index 5ba06c793..89ccf2a60 100644
--- a/lib/gssapi/krb5/external.c
+++ b/lib/gssapi/krb5/external.c
@@ -374,8 +374,6 @@ gss_OID GSS_SASL_DIGEST_MD5_MECHANISM = &gss_sasl_digest_md5_mechanism_desc;
  * Context for krb5 calls.
  */
 
-krb5_context context;
-
 /*
  *
  */