diff --git a/base/silent/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/silent/AtomContainer.java b/base/silent/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/silent/AtomContainer.java
index 949ce4c92f8..31e230ea35a 100644
--- a/base/silent/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/silent/AtomContainer.java
+++ b/base/silent/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/silent/AtomContainer.java
@@ -373,8 +373,6 @@ public Iterator<ILonePair> iterator() {
      */
     @Override
     public Iterable<ISingleElectron> singleElectrons() {
-        if (singleElectronCount == 0)
-            return Collections.<ISingleElectron>emptyList();
         return new Iterable<ISingleElectron>() {
 
             @Override