diff --git a/win/curses/cursinit.c b/win/curses/cursinit.c
index d461fd570..e95e37121 100644
--- a/win/curses/cursinit.c
+++ b/win/curses/cursinit.c
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ set_window_position(int *winx, int *winy, int *winw, int *winh,
 void
 curses_create_main_windows(void)
 {
-    int min_message_height = 1;
+    int min_message_height UNUSED = 1;
     int message_orientation = 0;
     int status_orientation = 0;
     int border_space = 0;