diff --git a/src/ng/compile.js b/src/ng/compile.js
index 6d988aa698f9..d6133a1c6781 100644
--- a/src/ng/compile.js
+++ b/src/ng/compile.js
@@ -2409,7 +2409,6 @@ function $CompileProvider($provide, $$sanitizeUriProvider) {
         }
 
         if (!directive.templateUrl && directive.controller) {
-          directiveValue = directive.controller;
           controllerDirectives = controllerDirectives || createMap();
           assertNoDuplicate('\'' + directiveName + '\' controller',
               controllerDirectives[directiveName], directive, $compileNode);