diff --git a/node/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/node/internal/AbstractNode.kt b/node/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/node/internal/AbstractNode.kt
index 60e6e10822..046d600e7b 100644
--- a/node/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/node/internal/AbstractNode.kt
+++ b/node/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/node/internal/AbstractNode.kt
@@ -566,9 +566,6 @@ abstract class AbstractNode<S>(val configuration: NodeConfiguration,
         schedulerService.closeOnStop()
         val rpcOps = makeRPCOps(cordappLoader)
 
-        val (identity, identityKeyPair) = obtainIdentity()
-        X509Utilities.validateCertPath(trustRoot, identity.certPath)
-
         identityService.start(trustRoot, keyStoreHandler.nodeIdentity, netParams.notaries.map { it.identity }, pkToIdCache)
 
         val nodeInfoAndSigned = database.transaction {