diff --git a/src/variable.h b/src/variable.h
index 512195bd14..c5f501f266 100644
--- a/src/variable.h
+++ b/src/variable.h
@@ -14,9 +14,8 @@
 #ifndef LMP_VARIABLE_H
 #define LMP_VARIABLE_H
 
-#include <cstdlib>
+#include <cstdio>
 #include "pointers.h"
-#include "input.h"
 
 namespace LAMMPS_NS {