diff --git a/proxy/http/HttpSM.cc b/proxy/http/HttpSM.cc
index 8f2c3d0a327..f348de25292 100644
--- a/proxy/http/HttpSM.cc
+++ b/proxy/http/HttpSM.cc
@@ -3289,7 +3289,6 @@ HttpSM::tunnel_handler_ua(int event, HttpTunnelConsumer *c)
 
     vc_table.remove_entry(this->ua_entry);
     ua_txn->do_io_close();
-    ua_txn = nullptr;
   } else {
     ink_assert(ua_buffer_reader != nullptr);
     ua_txn->release(ua_buffer_reader);