diff --git a/R/derive_joined.R b/R/derive_joined.R
index 7f8267d940..9eabec30e6 100644
--- a/R/derive_joined.R
+++ b/R/derive_joined.R
@@ -426,7 +426,6 @@ derive_vars_joined <- function(dataset,
       new_vars = add_suffix_to_vars(new_vars, vars = common_vars, suffix = ".join"),
       missing_values = missing_values,
       check_type = check_type,
-      exist_flag = exist_flag,
       true_value = true_value,
       false_value = false_value,
       duplicate_msg = paste(