diff --git a/machfs/directory.py b/machfs/directory.py
index 85e7391..739757b 100644
--- a/machfs/directory.py
+++ b/machfs/directory.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class AbstractFolder(collections.MutableMapping):
 
     def __delitem__(self, key):
         try:
-            value = value.decode('mac_roman')
+            key = key.decode('mac_roman')
         except AttributeError:
             pass