diff --git a/common/main/multi.h b/common/main/multi.h
index 021966b9a..419c5ba32 100644
--- a/common/main/multi.h
+++ b/common/main/multi.h
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ struct _sockaddr
 };
 
 // PROTOCOL VARIABLES AND DEFINES
-extern int multi_protocol; // set and determinate used protocol
 
 enum class network_game_type : uint8_t
 {
diff --git a/similar/main/menu.cpp b/similar/main/menu.cpp
index a55e52196..5f7fae7eb 100644
--- a/similar/main/menu.cpp
+++ b/similar/main/menu.cpp
@@ -720,15 +720,12 @@ window_event_result dispatch_menu_option(const netgame_menu_item_index select)
 	switch (select)
 	{
 		case netgame_menu_item_index::start_new_multiplayer_game:
-			multi_protocol = MULTI_PROTO_UDP;
 			select_mission(mission_filter_mode::include_anarchy, menu_title{TXT_MULTI_MISSION}, net_udp_setup_game);
 			break;
 		case netgame_menu_item_index::join_multiplayer_game:
-			multi_protocol = MULTI_PROTO_UDP;
 			net_udp_manual_join_game();
 			break;
 		case netgame_menu_item_index::list_multiplayer_games:
-			multi_protocol = MULTI_PROTO_UDP;
 			net_udp_list_join_game(*grd_curcanv);
 			break;
 		default:
diff --git a/similar/main/multi.cpp b/similar/main/multi.cpp
index eebd9eb0d..a491a1f81 100644
--- a/similar/main/multi.cpp
+++ b/similar/main/multi.cpp
@@ -233,8 +233,6 @@ static void multi_send_message();
 
 namespace dcx {
 
-int multi_protocol=0; // set and determinate used protocol
-
 //do we draw the kill list on the HUD?
 show_kill_list_mode Show_kill_list = show_kill_list_mode::_1;
 int Show_reticle_name = 1;