diff --git a/conftest.py b/conftest.py
index 83886771..d6c72fd5 100644
--- a/conftest.py
+++ b/conftest.py
@@ -8,5 +8,3 @@ def pytest_configure(config):
     # pre-cache the IERS file for astropy to prevent downloads
     # which will cause errors with remote_data off
     from astropy.utils.iers import IERS_Auto; IERS_Auto.open()
-
-    os.environ['IS_TEST_ENV'] = 'True'