diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 5c9884e..7d6738c 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 # See DSpace Solr docs for tips about parameters
 # https://wiki.duraspace.org/display/DSPACE/Solr
 
-from config import SOLR_CORE
 from database import database_connection_ro
 import falcon
 from solr import solr_connection
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index b4f4fb4..b2ed17b 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import os
 
 # Check if Solr connection information was provided in the environment
 SOLR_SERVER = os.environ.get('SOLR_SERVER', 'http://localhost:8080/solr')
-SOLR_CORE = os.environ.get('SOLR_CORE', 'statistics')
 
 SQLITE_DB = os.environ.get('SQLITE_DB', 'statistics.db')
 
diff --git a/contrib/dspace-statistics-api.service b/contrib/dspace-statistics-api.service
index d075098..fc3d070 100644
--- a/contrib/dspace-statistics-api.service
+++ b/contrib/dspace-statistics-api.service
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ After=network.target
 
 [Service]
 Environment=SOLR_SERVER=http://localhost:8081/solr
-Environment=SOLR_CORE=statistics
 User=nobody
 Group=nogroup
 WorkingDirectory=/opt/ilri/dspace-statistics-api
diff --git a/contrib/dspace-statistics-indexer.service b/contrib/dspace-statistics-indexer.service
index 49d0b1b..cccaff1 100644
--- a/contrib/dspace-statistics-indexer.service
+++ b/contrib/dspace-statistics-indexer.service
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ After=tomcat7.target
 
 [Service]
 Environment=SOLR_SERVER=http://localhost:8081/solr
-Environment=SOLR_CORE=statistics
 User=nobody
 Group=nogroup
 WorkingDirectory=/opt/ilri/cgspace-statistics-api
diff --git a/indexer.py b/indexer.py
index c1a0b42..242316d 100755
--- a/indexer.py
+++ b/indexer.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 # See DSpace Solr docs for tips about parameters
 # https://wiki.duraspace.org/display/DSPACE/Solr
 
-from config import SOLR_CORE
 from database import database_connection_rw
 from solr import solr_connection
 
@@ -12,7 +11,7 @@ def index_views():
     print("Populating database with item views.")
 
     # determine the total number of items with views (aka Solr's numFound)
-    res = solr.query(SOLR_CORE, {
+    res = solr.query('statistics', {
         'q':'type:2',
         'fq':'isBot:false AND statistics_type:view',
         'facet':True,
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ def index_views():
     while results_current_page <= results_num_pages:
         print('Page {0} of {1}.'.format(results_current_page, results_num_pages))
 
-        res = solr.query(SOLR_CORE, {
+        res = solr.query('statistics', {
             'q':'type:2',
             'fq':'isBot:false AND statistics_type:view',
             'facet':True,
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@ def index_downloads():
     print("Populating database with item downloads.")
 
     # determine the total number of items with downloads (aka Solr's numFound)
-    res = solr.query(SOLR_CORE, {
+    res = solr.query('statistics', {
         'q':'type:0',
         'fq':'isBot:false AND statistics_type:view AND bundleName:ORIGINAL',
         'facet':True,
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ def index_downloads():
     while results_current_page <= results_num_pages:
         print('Page {0} of {1}.'.format(results_current_page, results_num_pages))
 
-        res = solr.query(SOLR_CORE, {
+        res = solr.query('statistics', {
             'q':'type:0',
             'fq':'isBot:false AND statistics_type:view AND bundleName:ORIGINAL',
             'facet':True,