diff --git a/rpy2/robjects/functions.py b/rpy2/robjects/functions.py
index b1371737d..aaa955f57 100644
--- a/rpy2/robjects/functions.py
+++ b/rpy2/robjects/functions.py
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@
 baseenv_ri = rinterface.baseenv
 
 # Needed to avoid circular imports.
-_reval = rinterface.baseenv['eval']
-
 __formals = baseenv_ri.find('formals')
 __args = baseenv_ri.find('args')
 __is_null = baseenv_ri.find('is.null')