diff --git a/code/database.py b/code/database.py
index 0f03c1d..2123f59 100644
--- a/code/database.py
+++ b/code/database.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import logging
 
 # load default values
 config = ConfigParser()
-f_list = config.read(Path(__file__).parent / 'defaults.ini')
+config.read(Path(__file__).parent / 'defaults.ini')
 DB_IP_ADDRESS = config.get('database', 'db_ip_address')
 DB_NAME = config.get('database', 'db_name')
 DB_COLLECTION_NAME = config.get('database', 'db_collection_name')