diff --git a/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c b/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c
index 779e2142..ebd339f1 100644
--- a/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c
+++ b/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c
@@ -813,7 +813,7 @@ bird_thread_main(void *arg)
   account_to(&thr->overhead);
 
   birdloop_enter(thr->meta);
-  this_birdloop = this_metaloop = thr->meta;
+  this_birdloop = thr->meta;
 
   THREAD_TRACE(DL_SCHEDULING, "Started");