diff --git a/mitogen/parent.py b/mitogen/parent.py
index d026b52b..59ba15d9 100644
--- a/mitogen/parent.py
+++ b/mitogen/parent.py
@@ -364,8 +364,6 @@ def create_child(args, merge_stdio=False, stderr_pipe=False,
         escalates_privilege=escalates_privilege
     )
 
-    parentfp, childfp = create_socketpair()
-
     stderr = None
     stderr_r = None
     if merge_stdio: