diff --git a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
index 6559e2c..74cc13f 100644
--- a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
+++ b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
@@ -341,10 +341,6 @@ status_led_green = [False for _ in range(num_gauges)]
 _bl_dirty_since = None
 _BL_SAVE_DELAY_MS = 5000
 
-backlight_color = [(0, 0, 0) for _ in range(num_gauges)]
-backlight_brightness = [100 for _ in range(num_gauges)]
-backlight_on = [False for _ in range(num_gauges)]
-
 
 def _flush_backlight(client):
     for i in range(num_gauges):