diff --git a/boost-base.jam b/boost-base.jam
index 1607229fc..37e973c32 100644
--- a/boost-base.jam
+++ b/boost-base.jam
@@ -1593,7 +1593,6 @@ rule split-target-subvariant ( target-var properties-var toolset-var variant-var
 # Generates requested subvariant build instructions for the given main target
 rule main-target
 {
-    local BUILD = ;
     local subvariants = [ expand-target-subvariants $(<) : $(>) : $(TOOLS) : BUILD ] ;
 
     # include each jamfile describing a dependee target.
diff --git a/v1/boost-base.jam b/v1/boost-base.jam
index 1607229fc..37e973c32 100644
--- a/v1/boost-base.jam
+++ b/v1/boost-base.jam
@@ -1593,7 +1593,6 @@ rule split-target-subvariant ( target-var properties-var toolset-var variant-var
 # Generates requested subvariant build instructions for the given main target
 rule main-target
 {
-    local BUILD = ;
     local subvariants = [ expand-target-subvariants $(<) : $(>) : $(TOOLS) : BUILD ] ;
 
     # include each jamfile describing a dependee target.