diff --git a/ares/ares_library_init.c b/ares/ares_library_init.c
index c6036a0b2..f7286ad17 100644
--- a/ares/ares_library_init.c
+++ b/ares/ares_library_init.c
@@ -90,14 +90,11 @@ static void ares_win32_cleanup(void)
 int ares_library_init(int flags)
 {
   int res;
-  char *leekme;
 
   if (ares_initialized)
     return ARES_SUCCESS;
   ares_initialized++;
 
-  leekme = malloc(32);
-
   if (flags & ARES_LIB_INIT_WIN32)
     {
       res = ares_win32_init();