diff --git a/m4/ax_python_devel.m4 b/m4/ax_python_devel.m4
index 59a2ff09..af64eab2 100644
--- a/m4/ax_python_devel.m4
+++ b/m4/ax_python_devel.m4
@@ -132,21 +132,6 @@ variable to configure. See ``configure --help'' for reference.
 		fi
 	fi

-	#
-	# Check if you have distutils, else fail
-	#
-	AC_MSG_CHECKING([for the distutils Python package])
-	ac_distutils_result=`$PYTHON -c "import distutils" 2>&1`
-	if test -z "$ac_distutils_result"; then
-		AC_MSG_RESULT([yes])
-	else
-		AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
-		AC_MSG_ERROR([cannot import Python module "distutils".
-Please check your Python installation. The error was:
-$ac_distutils_result])
-		PYTHON_VERSION=""
-	fi
-
 	#
 	# Check for Python include path
 	#