diff --git a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
index 55a3d4c..6cc2c3d 100644
--- a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
+++ b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
@@ -266,22 +266,6 @@ def check_wifi():
         log_err(f"WiFi reconnect failed: {e}")
 
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Gauge
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-info("Initialising gauge ...")
-gauge = Gauge(
-    pins=GAUGE_PINS,
-    mode=GAUGE_MODE,
-    min_val=GAUGE_MIN,
-    max_val=GAUGE_MAX,
-    step_us=GAUGE_STEP_US,
-)
-info(
-    f"Gauge ready  pins={GAUGE_PINS}  mode={GAUGE_MODE}  range=[{GAUGE_MIN}, {GAUGE_MAX}]  step_us={GAUGE_STEP_US}"
-)
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # LEDs
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -368,7 +352,6 @@ info(f"LEDs ready  red={LED_RED_PIN}  green={LED_GREEN_PIN}  backlight={LED_BL_P
 # State
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-_target_value = GAUGE_MIN
 _last_rezero_ms = None  # set to ticks_ms() in main()
 client_ref = None
 _mqtt_connected = False