diff --git a/src/pypath/core/network.py b/src/pypath/core/network.py
index b2968bd52..f1da2c7a4 100644
--- a/src/pypath/core/network.py
+++ b/src/pypath/core/network.py
@@ -2736,7 +2736,6 @@ def remove_htp(self, threshold = 50, keep_directed = False):
             )
         )
 
-        htp_refs = self.htp_references(threshold = threshold)
         to_remove = self.htp_interactions(
             threshold = threshold,
             ignore_directed = keep_directed,