diff --git a/spyder/app/start.py b/spyder/app/start.py
index 3f225a164..10e6017b1 100644
--- a/spyder/app/start.py
+++ b/spyder/app/start.py
@@ -9,15 +9,6 @@
 import os
 import sys
 
-# Remove PYTHONPATH paths from sys.path before other imports to protect against
-# shadowed standard libraries.
-if os.environ.get('PYTHONPATH'):
-    for path in os.environ['PYTHONPATH'].split(os.pathsep):
-        try:
-            sys.path.remove(path.rstrip(os.sep))
-        except ValueError:
-            pass
-
 # Remove PYTHONEXECUTABLE. See spyder-ide/spyder#24743
 os.environ.pop("PYTHONEXECUTABLE", None)