diff --git a/lib/kadm5/create_s.c b/lib/kadm5/create_s.c
index 1646b83eb..e74d0a017 100644
--- a/lib/kadm5/create_s.c
+++ b/lib/kadm5/create_s.c
@@ -137,13 +137,6 @@ kadm5_s_create_principal_with_key(void *server_handle,
     if (ret)
         goto out;
 
-    ret = context->db->hdb_fetch_kvno(context->context, context->db,
-                                      princ->principal, 0, 0, &ent);
-    if (ret == 0) {
-        ret = HDB_ERR_EXISTS;
-        goto out;
-    }
-
     ret = hdb_seal_keys(context->context, context->db, &ent.entry);
     if (ret)
 	goto out;
@@ -202,13 +195,6 @@ kadm5_s_create_principal(void *server_handle,
     if (ret)
         goto out;
 
-    ret = context->db->hdb_fetch_kvno(context->context, context->db,
-                                      princ->principal, 0, 0, &ent);
-    if (ret == 0) {
-        ret = HDB_ERR_EXISTS;
-        goto out;
-    }
-
     ent.entry.keys.len = 0;
     ent.entry.keys.val = NULL;