diff --git a/include/optlist.h b/include/optlist.h
index bc86d5ac..2dc68343 100644
--- a/include/optlist.h
+++ b/include/optlist.h
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ extern char motdfil[];
 extern char downfil[];
 extern char annfil[];
 extern char teldir[];
-extern char telfil[];
 
 enum {
     KM_ALLOC = 1,		/* memory allocated */
diff --git a/src/lib/common/mailbox.c b/src/lib/common/mailbox.c
index 6205121f..51695601 100644
--- a/src/lib/common/mailbox.c
+++ b/src/lib/common/mailbox.c
@@ -40,6 +40,6 @@
 char *
 mailbox(char *buf, natid cn)
 {
-    (void)sprintf(buf, "%s%d", telfil, cn);
+    sprintf(buf, "%s/tel%d", teldir, cn);
     return buf;
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/global/path.c.in b/src/lib/global/path.c.in
index a5cb5865..5a4fbc3e 100644
--- a/src/lib/global/path.c.in
+++ b/src/lib/global/path.c.in
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ char *gamedir	= "@gamedir@";
 char teldir[]	= "tel";
 char motdfil[]	= "motd";
 char downfil[]	= "down";
-char telfil[]	= "tel/tel";
 char annfil[]	= "ann";
 
 char *listen_addr = "";