diff --git a/subworkflows/local/merge_lanes_inputbam.nf b/subworkflows/local/merge_lanes_inputbam.nf
index cccef0e1..4f0fa213 100644
--- a/subworkflows/local/merge_lanes_inputbam.nf
+++ b/subworkflows/local/merge_lanes_inputbam.nf
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@ workflow MERGE_LANES_INPUTBAM {
     ch_versions       = Channel.empty()
     ch_multiqc_files  = Channel.empty()
 
-
-    ch_input_bam = bams
-
     ch_input_for_lane_merge = bams
                                 .map { meta, bam, bai -> [ meta.clone().findAll{ it.key !in ['lane', 'colour_chemistry', 'shard_number'] }, bam ] }
                                 .groupTuple()