diff --git a/eth/downloader/downloader.go b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
index fb023c7ddb..bfda3050bf 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/downloader.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ var (
 	errCancelHashFetch     = errors.New("hash fetching cancelled (requested)")
 	errCancelBlockFetch    = errors.New("block downloading cancelled (requested)")
 	errNoSyncActive        = errors.New("no sync active")
-	ErrUnknownParent       = errors.New("block has unknown parent")
 )
 
 type hashCheckFn func(common.Hash) bool