diff --git a/hobo/settings.py b/hobo/settings.py
index 94bb586..f6bd7b8 100644
--- a/hobo/settings.py
+++ b/hobo/settings.py
@@ -198,8 +198,6 @@ MELLON_ADD_AUTHNREQUEST_NEXT_URL_EXTENSION = True
 
 THEMES_DIRECTORY = '/usr/share/publik/themes/'
 
-VARIABLE_SETTINGS_DEFAULTS = {}
-
 MELLON_USERNAME_TEMPLATE = '{attributes[name_id_content]}'
 
 # MATOMO_SERVER: allow automatic configuration on a matomo server.