diff --git a/src/emu/mame.c b/src/emu/mame.c
index e8931600ec7..a94c89bef3b 100644
--- a/src/emu/mame.c
+++ b/src/emu/mame.c
@@ -103,10 +103,6 @@ machine_manager* machine_manager::instance(emu_options &options,osd_interface &o
 
 machine_manager* machine_manager::instance()
 {
-    if(!m_manager)
-	{
-        return NULL;
-    }
     return m_manager;
 }