diff --git a/imap/sync_server.c b/imap/sync_server.c
index 0ed53d4f5f..e83b46b3ef 100644
--- a/imap/sync_server.c
+++ b/imap/sync_server.c
@@ -139,8 +139,6 @@ static int sync_sieve_mailbox_enabled = 0;
 static int sync_archive_enabled = 0;
 static struct proc_handle *proc_handle = NULL;
 
-static int opt_force = 0;
-
 /* commands that have specific names */
 static void cmdloop(void);
 static void cmd_authenticate(char *mech, char *resp);
@@ -260,9 +258,6 @@ int service_init(int argc __attribute__((unused)),
         case 'p': /* external protection */
             extprops_ssf = atoi(optarg);
             break;
-        case 'f':
-            opt_force = 1;
-            break;
         default:
             usage();
         }