diff --git a/check_versions.py b/check_versions.py
index dad96b2..db982fe 100644
--- a/check_versions.py
+++ b/check_versions.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ notification with the weekly report.
 
 import os
 import re
-import json
 import logging
 import subprocess
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
@@ -121,7 +120,6 @@ def parse_image_ref(image: str) -> ImageInfo:
 def _semver_tags(tags: list[str], current_tag: str) -> Optional[str]:
     """From a list of tags, return the latest stable semver tag comparable to current."""
     norm = current_tag.lstrip("v")
-    has_v_prefix = current_tag.startswith("v")
 
     # Detect suffix pattern (e.g. '-alpine', '-amd64')
     suffix_match = re.search(r"(-[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9._-]*)$", norm)