diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
index 9f4b812b4..038caa903 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
@@ -3374,7 +3374,6 @@ otError Mle::HandleChildUpdateRequest(const Message &aMessage, const Ip6::Messag
     otError          error = OT_ERROR_NONE;
     Mac::ExtAddress  srcAddr;
     SourceAddressTlv sourceAddress;
-    LeaderDataTlv    leaderData;
     ChallengeTlv     challenge;
     StatusTlv        status;
     TlvRequestTlv    tlvRequest;