diff --git a/py-json/realm.py b/py-json/realm.py
index 16db7d2d..b25ae153 100755
--- a/py-json/realm.py
+++ b/py-json/realm.py
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ class Realm(LFCliBase):
         req_url = "/cli-json/rm_vlan"
         eid = self.name_to_eid(port_eid)
         if check_exists:
-            if not self.port_exists(port_eid, debug=debug_):
+            if not self.port_exists(port_eid, debug=False):
                 return False
 
         data = {