diff --git a/ironic/cmd/api.py b/ironic/cmd/api.py
index 2b7a0ebf9f..9cf373c944 100644
--- a/ironic/cmd/api.py
+++ b/ironic/cmd/api.py
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ from oslo_reports import guru_meditation_report as gmr
 from ironic.common import profiler
 from ironic.common import service as ironic_service
 from ironic.common import wsgi_service
-from ironic.objects import base
-from ironic.objects import indirection
 from ironic import version
 
 CONF = cfg.CONF
@@ -38,10 +36,6 @@ def main():
 
     gmr.TextGuruMeditation.setup_autorun(version)
 
-    # Enable object backporting via the conductor
-    base.IronicObject.indirection_api = (
-        indirection.IronicObjectIndirectionAPI())
-
     profiler.setup('ironic_api', CONF.host)
 
     # Build and start the WSGI app
diff --git a/ironic/tests/base.py b/ironic/tests/base.py
index 7c553b8267..7482d762e2 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/base.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/base.py
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ class TestCase(oslo_test_base.BaseTestCase):
         # NOTE(danms): Make sure to reset us back to non-remote objects
         # for each test to avoid interactions. Also, backup the object
         # registry
-        objects_base.IronicObject.indirection_api = None
         self._base_test_obj_backup = copy.copy(
             objects_base.IronicObjectRegistry.obj_classes())
         self.addCleanup(self._restore_obj_registry)