diff --git a/matlab/utilities/graphics/distinguishable_colors.m b/matlab/utilities/graphics/distinguishable_colors.m
index 027ad2cb6478feac11cebbb4632e5c873f881c7e..146b9734bd9ecfd5381d0e1d535b522d9e025ff9 100644
--- a/matlab/utilities/graphics/distinguishable_colors.m
+++ b/matlab/utilities/graphics/distinguishable_colors.m
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ for i = 1:n_colors
     dX = bsxfun(@minus,lab,lastlab); % displacement of last from all colors on list
     dist2 = sum(dX.^2,2);  % square distance
     mindist2 = min(dist2,mindist2);  % dist2 to closest previously-chosen color
-    [~,index] = max(mindist2);  % find the entry farthest from all previously-chosen colors
+    [junk,index] = max(mindist2);  % find the entry farthest from all previously-chosen colors
     colors(i,:) = rgb(index,:);  % save for output
     lastlab = lab(index,:);  % prepare for next iteration
 end