diff --git a/fs/orangefs/file.c b/fs/orangefs/file.c
index 732661aa2680..167fa43b24f9 100644
--- a/fs/orangefs/file.c
+++ b/fs/orangefs/file.c
@@ -273,7 +273,6 @@ out:
 		gossip_debug(GOSSIP_FILE_DEBUG,
 			"%s(%pU): PUT buffer_index %d\n",
 			__func__, handle, buffer_index);
-		buffer_index = -1;
 	}
 	op_release(new_op);
 	return ret;