diff --git a/include/fmt/base.h b/include/fmt/base.h
index 0d578677..620456b4 100644
--- a/include/fmt/base.h
+++ b/include/fmt/base.h
@@ -927,7 +927,7 @@ class locale_ref {
   template <typename Locale, FMT_ENABLE_IF(sizeof(Locale::collate) != 0)>
   locale_ref(const Locale& loc) : locale_(&loc) {
     // Check if std::isalpha is found via ADL to reduce the chance of misuse.
-    isalpha('x', loc);
+    detail::ignore_unused(isalpha('x', loc));
   }
 
   inline explicit operator bool() const noexcept { return locale_ != nullptr; }