diff --git a/drivers/net/stmmac/stmmac_main.c b/drivers/net/stmmac/stmmac_main.c
index 0bdd3326c94a..1083334ccd21 100644
--- a/drivers/net/stmmac/stmmac_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/stmmac/stmmac_main.c
@@ -829,7 +829,6 @@ static int stmmac_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	 * In case of failure continue without timer. */
 	if (unlikely((stmmac_open_ext_timer(dev, priv->tm)) < 0)) {
 		pr_warning("stmmaceth: cannot attach the external timer.\n");
-		tmrate = 0;
 		priv->tm->freq = 0;
 		priv->tm->timer_start = stmmac_no_timer_started;
 		priv->tm->timer_stop = stmmac_no_timer_stopped;