diff --git a/redbot/core/drivers/red_mongo.py b/redbot/core/drivers/red_mongo.py
index 664b691e7..0f9bc585c 100644
--- a/redbot/core/drivers/red_mongo.py
+++ b/redbot/core/drivers/red_mongo.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ _conn = None
 
 
 def _initialize(**kwargs):
-    kwargs.get("URI", "mongodb")
+    uri = kwargs.get("URI", "mongodb")
     host = kwargs["HOST"]
     port = kwargs["PORT"]
     admin_user = kwargs["USERNAME"]