diff --git a/kdc/fast.c b/kdc/fast.c
index c0b2c4d3c..cccda17c7 100644
--- a/kdc/fast.c
+++ b/kdc/fast.c
@@ -275,7 +275,6 @@ _kdc_fast_unwrap_request(kdc_request_t r)
 	kdc_log(r->context, r->config, 5,
 		"armor key does not have secrets at this KDC, "
 		"need to proxy");
-	ret = KRB5KDC_ERR_S_PRINCIPAL_UNKNOWN;
 	goto out;
     } if(ret){
 	free_AP_REQ(&ap_req);