diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.cc b/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.cc
index bea5e893a2..80f8d1b1ed 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.cc
@@ -47,8 +47,6 @@ using namespace ARDOUR;
 using namespace ARDOUR_UI_UTILS;
 using Gtkmm2ext::Keyboard;
 
-list<Gdk::Color> GroupTabs::_used_colors;
-
 #define BASELINESTRETCH (1.25)
 
 GroupTabs::GroupTabs ()
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.h b/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.h
index 390a8dbb76..c137ea231e 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/group_tabs.h
@@ -180,8 +180,5 @@ private:
 	bool  _hovering;
 
 	mutable PBD::ScopedConnection _new_route_group_connection;
-
-	/** colors that have been used for new route group tabs */
-	static std::list<Gdk::Color> _used_colors;
 };