diff --git a/frappe/utils/response.py b/frappe/utils/response.py
index e4d2a48cfc..0cdfd5b422 100644
--- a/frappe/utils/response.py
+++ b/frappe/utils/response.py
@@ -218,7 +218,6 @@ def download_backup(path):
 def download_private_file(path: str) -> Response:
 	"""Checks permissions and sends back private file"""
 
-	can_access = False
 	files = frappe.get_all("File", filters={"file_url": path}, fields="*")
 	# this file might be attached to multiple documents
 	# if the file is accessible from any one of those documents