diff --git a/hooks/common/40-setup-networking-deb b/hooks/common/40-setup-networking-deb
index 162d0b2..6ebc175 100755
--- a/hooks/common/40-setup-networking-deb
+++ b/hooks/common/40-setup-networking-deb
@@ -88,7 +88,6 @@ setupStaticNetworking ()
     #
     # gateway address?
     #
-    gateway='';
     if [ -n "${gateway}" ]; then
       gateway=" gateway ${gateway}"
     fi