diff --git a/src/SAML2/XML/saml/Assertion.php b/src/SAML2/XML/saml/Assertion.php
index 61948ce86..00d0a8a15 100644
--- a/src/SAML2/XML/saml/Assertion.php
+++ b/src/SAML2/XML/saml/Assertion.php
@@ -81,8 +81,6 @@ public function __construct(
         protected ?Conditions $conditions = null,
         protected array $statements = [],
     ) {
-        $this->dataType = C::XMLENC_ELEMENT;
-
         Assert::same($issueInstant->getTimeZone()->getName(), 'Z', ProtocolViolationException::class);
         Assert::nullOrValidNCName($id); // Covers the empty string
         Assert::true(