diff --git a/smart_open/tests/test_s3.py b/smart_open/tests/test_s3.py
index c712ac92..60cdf0a4 100644
--- a/smart_open/tests/test_s3.py
+++ b/smart_open/tests/test_s3.py
@@ -382,8 +382,6 @@ def test_nonexisting_bucket(self):
                 fout.write(expected)
 
     def test_read_nonexisting_key(self):
-        create_bucket_and_key()
-
         with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
             with smart_open.s3.open(BUCKET_NAME, 'my_nonexisting_key', 'rb') as fin:
                 fin.read()