diff --git a/scumm/intern.h b/scumm/intern.h
index 75dae818be6..2f350105137 100644
--- a/scumm/intern.h
+++ b/scumm/intern.h
@@ -753,7 +753,7 @@ protected:
 
 	const OpcodeEntryV72he *_opcodesV72he;
 
-	int _stringLength, _stringStart;
+	int _stringLength;
 	byte _stringBuffer[4096];
 
 	WizParameters _wizParams;
diff --git a/scumm/scumm.cpp b/scumm/scumm.cpp
index 7dbe9abc2ea..2d4e576da6e 100644
--- a/scumm/scumm.cpp
+++ b/scumm/scumm.cpp
@@ -1648,7 +1648,6 @@ void ScummEngine_v72he::scummInit() {
 	ScummEngine_v60he::scummInit();
 
 	_stringLength = 1;
-	_stringStart = 1;
 	memset(_stringBuffer, 0, sizeof(_stringBuffer));
 }