diff --git a/ush/plotObsMon.py b/ush/plotObsMon.py
index 40110c5..fa253c6 100755
--- a/ush/plotObsMon.py
+++ b/ush/plotObsMon.py
@@ -194,8 +194,6 @@ def loadConfig(satname, instrument, obstype, plot, cycle_tm, cycle_interval,
                     os.remove(plot_yaml)
 
     if 'minimization' in mon_dict.keys():
-        cwd = os.getcwd()
-
         satname = None
         instrument = None
         obstype = None