diff --git a/src/app/qgisapp.cpp b/src/app/qgisapp.cpp
index 4b4a463426ef..dbe8239d7a8d 100644
--- a/src/app/qgisapp.cpp
+++ b/src/app/qgisapp.cpp
@@ -1679,10 +1679,6 @@ void QgisApp::setupConnections()
   connect( mMapLegend, SIGNAL( currentLayerChanged( QgsMapLayer* ) ),
            mMapTools.mNodeTool, SLOT( currentLayerChanged( QgsMapLayer* ) ) );
 
-  // connect map layer registry signal to identify
-  connect( QgsMapLayerRegistry::instance(), SIGNAL( layerWillBeRemoved( QString ) ),
-           mMapTools.mIdentify, SLOT( removeLayer( QString ) ) );
-
   //signal when mouse moved over window (coords display in status bar)
   connect( mMapCanvas, SIGNAL( xyCoordinates( QgsPoint & ) ), this, SLOT( showMouseCoordinate( QgsPoint & ) ) );
   connect( mMapCanvas->mapRenderer(), SIGNAL( drawingProgress( int, int ) ), this, SLOT( showProgress( int, int ) ) );