diff --git a/d2/src/main/java/com/linkedin/d2/xds/XdsClient.java b/d2/src/main/java/com/linkedin/d2/xds/XdsClient.java
index 015179be8..4167f1ffc 100644
--- a/d2/src/main/java/com/linkedin/d2/xds/XdsClient.java
+++ b/d2/src/main/java/com/linkedin/d2/xds/XdsClient.java
@@ -321,8 +321,6 @@ public String toString()
     }
   }
 
-  // same as the default proto value for a string field
-  static final String UNKNOWN_RESOURCE_VERSION = "";
   public static final NodeUpdate EMPTY_NODE_UPDATE = new NodeUpdate(null, new HashMap<>());
   public static final D2URIMapUpdate EMPTY_D2_URI_MAP_UPDATE = new D2URIMapUpdate(null, new HashMap<>());