diff --git a/wp-includes/meta.php b/wp-includes/meta.php
index 0f3aaa979d..680c622cbf 100644
--- a/wp-includes/meta.php
+++ b/wp-includes/meta.php
@@ -578,7 +578,6 @@ function update_metadata_by_mid( $meta_type, $meta_id, $meta_value, $meta_key =
 	// Fetch the meta and go on if it's found.
 	if ( $meta = get_metadata_by_mid( $meta_type, $meta_id ) ) {
 		$original_key = $meta->meta_key;
-		$original_value = $meta->meta_value;
 		$object_id = $meta->{$column};
 
 		// If a new meta_key (last parameter) was specified, change the meta key,