diff --git a/merkle_util_test.go b/merkle_util_test.go
index a51443e..894d6fc 100644
--- a/merkle_util_test.go
+++ b/merkle_util_test.go
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ var (
 	blockHeader                    phase0.BeaconBlockHeader
 	blockHeaderIndex               uint64
 	block                          capella.BeaconBlock
-	validatorIndex                 phase0.ValidatorIndex
 	beaconBlockHeaderToVerifyIndex uint64
 	executionPayload               capella.ExecutionPayload
 	epp                            *EigenPodProofs