diff --git a/src/slack/monitor/message-handler/prepare.ts b/src/slack/monitor/message-handler/prepare.ts
index 99be742f6..da786c959 100644
--- a/src/slack/monitor/message-handler/prepare.ts
+++ b/src/slack/monitor/message-handler/prepare.ts
@@ -498,7 +498,6 @@ export async function prepareSlackMessage(params: {
   }
 
   // Use thread starter media if current message has none
-  const effectiveMediaList = mediaList.length > 0 ? mediaList : threadStarterMediaList;
   const effectiveMediaPayload =
     mediaList.length > 0 ? mediaPayload : buildSlackMediaPayload(threadStarterMediaList);