diff --git a/gdk/gdkcontentdeserializer.c b/gdk/gdkcontentdeserializer.c
index 9e33bcf63c..7603cec306 100644
--- a/gdk/gdkcontentdeserializer.c
+++ b/gdk/gdkcontentdeserializer.c
@@ -407,8 +407,6 @@ gdk_content_register_deserializer (const char                *mime_type,
   g_return_if_fail (mime_type != NULL);
   g_return_if_fail (deserialize != NULL);
 
-  init ();
-
   deserializer = g_slice_new0 (Deserializer);
 
   deserializer->mime_type = g_intern_string (mime_type);
diff --git a/gdk/gdkcontentserializer.c b/gdk/gdkcontentserializer.c
index 3d1295b33e..686f15af80 100644
--- a/gdk/gdkcontentserializer.c
+++ b/gdk/gdkcontentserializer.c
@@ -413,8 +413,6 @@ gdk_content_register_serializer (GType                    type,
   g_return_if_fail (mime_type != NULL);
   g_return_if_fail (serialize != NULL);
 
-  init ();
-
   serializer = g_slice_new0 (Serializer);
 
   serializer->mime_type = g_intern_string (mime_type);