diff --git a/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-xaui.c b/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-xaui.c
index 4b47bcfaabb1..9097edf10230 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-xaui.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-xaui.c
@@ -32,11 +32,7 @@ int cvm_oct_xaui_open(struct net_device *dev)
 
 int cvm_oct_xaui_init(struct net_device *dev)
 {
-	struct octeon_ethernet *priv = netdev_priv(dev);
-
 	cvm_oct_common_init(dev);
-	if (!octeon_is_simulation() && priv->phydev == NULL)
-		priv->poll = cvm_oct_link_poll;
 
 	return 0;
 }