diff --git a/Python/pyarena.c b/Python/pyarena.c
index bb2fd1e42ab..02a31d8ff07 100644
--- a/Python/pyarena.c
+++ b/Python/pyarena.c
@@ -156,7 +156,6 @@ PyArena_New()
 void
 PyArena_Free(PyArena *arena)
 {
-    int r;
     assert(arena);
 #if defined(Py_DEBUG)
     /*
@@ -173,12 +172,6 @@ PyArena_Free(PyArena *arena)
     assert(arena->a_objects->ob_refcnt == 1);
     */
 
-    /* Clear all the elements from the list.  This is necessary
-       to guarantee that they will be DECREFed. */
-    r = PyList_SetSlice(arena->a_objects,
-                        0, PyList_GET_SIZE(arena->a_objects), NULL);
-    assert(r == 0);
-    assert(PyList_GET_SIZE(arena->a_objects) == 0);
     Py_DECREF(arena->a_objects);
     free(arena);
 }