diff --git a/quantum/plugins/nec/common/config.py b/quantum/plugins/nec/common/config.py
index 36a1141711..313851df29 100644
--- a/quantum/plugins/nec/common/config.py
+++ b/quantum/plugins/nec/common/config.py
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ cfg.CONF.register_opts(ofc_opts, "OFC")
 
 # shortcuts
 CONF = cfg.CONF
-DATABASE = cfg.CONF.DATABASE
 OVS = cfg.CONF.OVS
 AGENT = cfg.CONF.AGENT
 OFC = cfg.CONF.OFC
diff --git a/quantum/tests/unit/nec/test_config.py b/quantum/tests/unit/nec/test_config.py
index ac8d758990..06508b17c1 100644
--- a/quantum/tests/unit/nec/test_config.py
+++ b/quantum/tests/unit/nec/test_config.py
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ from quantum.plugins.nec.common import config
 class ConfigurationTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_defaults(self):
-        self.assertEqual('sqlite://', config.DATABASE.sql_connection)
         self.assertEqual('sqlite://', config.CONF.DATABASE.sql_connection)
         self.assertEqual(-1, config.CONF.DATABASE.sql_max_retries)
         self.assertEqual(2, config.CONF.DATABASE.reconnect_interval)