diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go
index c1b78d70efd..8f6d511bc03 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go
@@ -641,7 +641,6 @@ func (o *DrainOptions) RunCordonOrUncordon(desired bool) error {
 		} else {
 			helper := resource.NewHelper(o.restClient, o.nodeInfo.Mapping)
 			node.Spec.Unschedulable = desired
-			var err error
 			newData, err := json.Marshal(obj)
 			patchBytes, err := strategicpatch.CreateTwoWayMergePatch(oldData, newData, obj)
 			if err != nil {