diff --git a/spring-web/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/method/support/InvocableHandlerMethod.java b/spring-web/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/method/support/InvocableHandlerMethod.java
index be6f82ecdf5..07a4b78790d 100644
--- a/spring-web/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/method/support/InvocableHandlerMethod.java
+++ b/spring-web/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/method/support/InvocableHandlerMethod.java
@@ -64,8 +64,6 @@ public class InvocableHandlerMethod extends HandlerMethod {
 
 	private static final Object[] EMPTY_ARGS = new Object[0];
 
-	private static final Class<?>[] EMPTY_GROUPS = new Class<?>[0];
-
 	private static final boolean KOTLIN_REFLECT_PRESENT = KotlinDetector.isKotlinReflectPresent();