diff --git a/Lib/distutils/msvccompiler.py b/Lib/distutils/msvccompiler.py
index d5857cb1ffe..f0d04fdb7f4 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/msvccompiler.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/msvccompiler.py
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@
                  "necessary compiler setting\n"
                  "Make sure that Python modules winreg, "
                  "win32api or win32con are installed.")
-        pass
 
 if _can_read_reg:
     HKEYS = (hkey_mod.HKEY_USERS,