diff --git a/src/ostree/ot-admin-builtin-status.c b/src/ostree/ot-admin-builtin-status.c
index bf94843f26..c910340e49 100644
--- a/src/ostree/ot-admin-builtin-status.c
+++ b/src/ostree/ot-admin-builtin-status.c
@@ -152,6 +152,8 @@ deployment_print_status (OstreeSysroot *sysroot, OstreeRepo *repo, OstreeDeploym
 
       g_print ("%s", output_buffer->str);
     }
+#else
+  g_autofree char *remote = NULL;
 #endif /* OSTREE_DISABLE_GPGME */
   if (opt_verify)
     {