diff --git a/mercurial/manifest.py b/mercurial/manifest.py
--- a/mercurial/manifest.py
+++ b/mercurial/manifest.py
@@ -719,7 +719,6 @@
             self._loadalllazy()
             return None
 
-        todel = []
         loadlazy = self._loadlazy
         for k in visit:
             loadlazy(k + '/')