diff --git a/samples/except/except.cpp b/samples/except/except.cpp
index 19a9462f75..9fea370af6 100644
--- a/samples/except/except.cpp
+++ b/samples/except/except.cpp
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ void MyFrame::OnShowAssert(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 {
     // provoke an assert from wxArrayString
     wxArrayString arr;
-    arr[0];
+    wxUnusedVar(arr[0]);
 }
 
 #if wxUSE_THREADS