diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_message.py b/tests/handlers/test_message.py

index af42775815..f955dfa490 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_message.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_message.py
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ class ServerAclValidationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # Redaction of event should fail.
         path = "/_matrix/client/r0/rooms/%s/redact/%s" % (self.room_id, event_id)
-        request, channel = self.make_request(
+        channel = self.make_request(
             "POST", path, content={}, access_token=self.access_token
         )
         self.assertEqual(int(channel.result["code"]), 403)