diff --git a/pr_agent/tools/pr_similar_issue.py b/pr_agent/tools/pr_similar_issue.py
index 1b0972ac..4c7b5f2a 100644
--- a/pr_agent/tools/pr_similar_issue.py
+++ b/pr_agent/tools/pr_similar_issue.py
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ class PRSimilarIssue:
         # check if index exists, and if repo is already indexed
         run_from_scratch = False
         if run_from_scratch:  # for debugging
+            pinecone.init(api_key=api_key, environment=environment)
             if not index_name in pinecone.list_indexes():
                 get_logger().info('Removing index...')
-                pinecone.init(api_key=api_key, environment=environment)
                 pinecone.delete_index(index_name)
                 get_logger().info('Done')
 
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ class PRSimilarIssue:
         else:  # update index if needed
             pinecone_index = pinecone.Index(index_name=index_name)
             issues_to_update = []
-            issues_paginated_list = []
             issues_paginated_list = self.git_provider.get_repo_issues(repo_obj)
             counter = 1
             for issue in issues_paginated_list: