diff --git a/zuul.yaml b/zuul.yaml
index 64c6f093f..66fafdfd4 100644
--- a/zuul.yaml
+++ b/zuul.yaml
@@ -1,30 +1,5 @@
-# TODO: further parameterize the base job and roles so that it can
-# include log publishing and nodeset defaults once Zuul supports
-# site-local variables.
-- job:
-    name: base
-    description: |
-      A sample base job.
-
-      Zuul installations should override this job using the project
-      "shadow" functionality.
-
-      All jobs ultimately inherit from this.  It runs a pre-playbook
-      which copies all of the job's prepared git repos on to all of
-      the nodes in the nodeset and sets the default timeout value.
-
-      Zuul installations should add a log publishing post playbook to
-      this job, and may wish to supply a default nodeset and adjust
-      the timeout values.
-    pre-run: playbooks/base/pre
-    post-run: playbooks/base/post-ssh
-    roles:
-      - zuul: openstack-infra/zuul-jobs
-    timeout: 1800
-
 - job:
     name: unittests
-    parent: base
     description: |
       Perform setup common to all unit test jobs.