diff --git a/lib/internal/modules/esm/default_resolve.js b/lib/internal/modules/esm/default_resolve.js
index 7707262566c88a..7654ca91129325 100644
--- a/lib/internal/modules/esm/default_resolve.js
+++ b/lib/internal/modules/esm/default_resolve.js
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function search(target, base) {
         new URL('./', questionedBase).pathname);
       const found = CJSmodule._resolveFilename(target, tmpMod);
       error = new ERR_MODULE_RESOLUTION_LEGACY(target, base, found);
-    } catch (problemChecking) {
+    } catch {
       // ignore
     }
     throw error;