diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index 1a6e301ccc..22be829f2b 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -491,10 +491,6 @@ ARDOUR_UI::ARDOUR_UI (int *argcp, char **argvp[], const char* localedir)
 	/* do not retain position for add route dialog */
 	add_route_dialog.set_state_mask (WindowProxy::Size);
 
-	/* Trigger setting up the color scheme and loading the GTK RC file */
-
-	UIConfiguration::instance().load_rc_file (false);
-
 	_process_thread = new ProcessThread ();
 	_process_thread->init ();