diff --git a/core/blockchain.go b/core/blockchain.go
index c4481588f9..a8563e9d76 100644
--- a/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/core/blockchain.go
@@ -118,7 +118,6 @@ type BlockChain struct {
 	chainmu sync.RWMutex // blockchain insertion lock
 	procmu  sync.RWMutex // block processor lock
 
-	checkpoint       int          // checkpoint counts towards the new checkpoint
 	currentBlock     atomic.Value // Current head of the block chain
 	currentFastBlock atomic.Value // Current head of the fast-sync chain (may be above the block chain!)