diff --git a/ietf/ipr/management/commands/process_email.py b/ietf/ipr/management/commands/process_email.py
index dfeaf5e19..6ce676e86 100644
--- a/ietf/ipr/management/commands/process_email.py
+++ b/ietf/ipr/management/commands/process_email.py
@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             msg = open(email, "r").read()
 
         try:
-            message = process_response_email(msg)
+            process_response_email(msg)
         except ValueError as e:
             raise CommandError(e)