diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
index 679fb141e..22b966383 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
@@ -361,13 +361,6 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
                 affected=pdu.event_id,
             )
 
-        raise FederationError(
-            "ERROR",
-            403,
-            "Forbidden",
-            affected=pdu.event_id,
-        )
-
         state = None
 
         auth_chain = []