diff --git a/move_issue.py b/move_issue.py
index 8c585e2..6cc1eb3 100644
--- a/move_issue.py
+++ b/move_issue.py
@@ -22,9 +22,10 @@ def move_issue(source_owner, source_repo, issue_number, destination_owner, desti
     if message:
         print(message)
 
-    if json_response and 'milestone' in json_response:
-        print(f"We have removed the milestone {json_response['milestone']['title']} from this issue (milestones are specific to repositories).")
-        del json_response['milestone']
+    milestone = json_response.pop('milestone', {})
+    if milestone:
+        print(f"We have removed the milestone {milestone['title']} from this issue (milestones are specific to repositories).")
+        # Note that pop has already thrown out the milestone from json_response
 
     print(f"Creating issue {json_response['title']} now…")