diff --git a/pkg/vpn/bitmask.go b/pkg/vpn/bitmask.go
index 4a56b2f2497781f6efce0c15e37a5a425a4cea8e..f5ad8ff0fdb817ee9b2815b3b071e2ad4ec2c5cd 100644
--- a/pkg/vpn/bitmask.go
+++ b/pkg/vpn/bitmask.go
@@ -120,7 +120,6 @@ func Init() (*Bitmask, error) {
 
 	// FIXME multiprovider: need to pass provider name early on
 	// XXX we want to block on these, but they can timeout if we're blocked.
-	b.checkForMOTD()
 	err = b.launch.FirewallStop()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("Could not stop firewall: %v", err)
@@ -147,10 +146,6 @@ func (b *Bitmask) SetProvider(p string) {
 	b.provider = p
 }
 
-func (b *Bitmask) checkForMOTD() {
-	b.motd = motd.FetchLatest()
-}
-
 // GetStatusCh returns a channel that will recieve VPN status changes
 func (b *Bitmask) GetStatusCh() <-chan string {
 	return b.statusCh