diff --git a/lib/nova b/lib/nova
index 6b1afd939f..892aace80a 100644
--- a/lib/nova
+++ b/lib/nova
@@ -59,10 +59,6 @@ fi
 # Set the paths of certain binaries
 NOVA_ROOTWRAP=$(get_rootwrap_location nova)
 
-# Allow rate limiting to be turned off for testing, like for Tempest
-# NOTE: Set API_RATE_LIMIT="False" to turn OFF rate limiting
-API_RATE_LIMIT=${API_RATE_LIMIT:-"True"}
-
 # Option to enable/disable config drive
 # NOTE: Set FORCE_CONFIG_DRIVE="False" to turn OFF config drive
 FORCE_CONFIG_DRIVE=${FORCE_CONFIG_DRIVE:-"always"}
@@ -461,9 +457,6 @@ function create_nova_conf {
     if [ "$SYSLOG" != "False" ]; then
         iniset $NOVA_CONF DEFAULT use_syslog "True"
     fi
-    if [ "$API_RATE_LIMIT" != "True" ]; then
-        iniset $NOVA_CONF DEFAULT api_rate_limit "False"
-    fi
     if [ "$FORCE_CONFIG_DRIVE" != "False" ]; then
         iniset $NOVA_CONF DEFAULT force_config_drive "$FORCE_CONFIG_DRIVE"
     fi