diff --git a/include/mapnik/vertex_adapters.hpp b/include/mapnik/vertex_adapters.hpp
index 6f40903dd..979a86c50 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/vertex_adapters.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/vertex_adapters.hpp
@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@ struct polygon_vertex_adapter
           rings_end_(poly_.interior_rings.size() + 1),
           current_index_(0),
           end_index_((rings_itr_ < rings_end_) ? poly_.exterior_ring.size() : 0),
-          start_loop_(true),
-          close_loop_(false) {}
+          start_loop_(true) {}
 
     void rewind(unsigned) const
     {
@@ -120,7 +119,6 @@ struct polygon_vertex_adapter
         current_index_ = 0;
         end_index_ = (rings_itr_ < rings_end_) ? poly_.exterior_ring.size() : 0;
         start_loop_ = true;
-        close_loop_ = false;
     }
 
     unsigned vertex(double* x, double* y) const
@@ -172,7 +170,6 @@ private:
     mutable std::size_t current_index_;
     mutable std::size_t end_index_;
     mutable bool start_loop_;
-    mutable bool close_loop_;
 };
 
 template <typename T>