diff --git a/wp-admin/update-core.php b/wp-admin/update-core.php
index f41eabcc23..e2593d310b 100644
--- a/wp-admin/update-core.php
+++ b/wp-admin/update-core.php
@@ -182,7 +182,6 @@ function core_upgrade_preamble() {
 	}
 
 	echo '<ul class="core-updates">';
-	$alternate = true;
 	foreach( (array) $updates as $update ) {
 		echo '<li>';
 		list_core_update( $update );