diff --git a/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less b/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less
index f168460e0..2ceb22468 100644
--- a/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less
+++ b/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less
@@ -27,5 +27,4 @@
 @cell_border_width:             1px;
 @cell_left_border_width:        5px;
 
-@navbar-default-bg:               darken(#f8f8f8, 10%);
 @navbar-default-link-color:       darken(#777, 13%);