diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 872c737c..91e55933 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -16,12 +16,6 @@
 
 import distutils.core
 import sys
-# Importing setuptools adds some features like "setup.py develop", but
-# it's optional so swallow the error if it's not there.
-try:
-    import setuptools
-except ImportError:
-    pass
 
 kwargs = {}