diff --git a/scipy/optimize/_dcsrch.py b/scipy/optimize/_dcsrch.py
index 5223e33718cf..4931f36c702d 100644
--- a/scipy/optimize/_dcsrch.py
+++ b/scipy/optimize/_dcsrch.py
@@ -367,8 +367,8 @@ def _iterate(self, stp, f, g, task):
             task = b"FG"
             return stp, f, g, task
 
-        else:
-            pass
+        # in the original Fortran this was a location to restore variables
+        # we don't need to do that because they're attributes.
 
         # If psi(stp) <= 0 and f'(stp) >= 0 for some step, then the
         # algorithm enters the second stage.