diff --git a/gtk/gtkvbbox.c b/gtk/gtkvbbox.c
index 58a39425ba..ef8ea6c352 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkvbbox.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkvbbox.c
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@
  * gtk_button_box_set_layout().
  */
 
-static gint default_spacing = 10;
 static GtkButtonBoxStyle default_layout_style = GTK_BUTTONBOX_EDGE;
 
 G_DEFINE_TYPE (GtkVButtonBox, gtk_vbutton_box, GTK_TYPE_BUTTON_BOX)