diff --git a/refs/packed-backend.c b/refs/packed-backend.c
index f27943f9a1..96d92a5eea 100644
--- a/refs/packed-backend.c
+++ b/refs/packed-backend.c
@@ -133,8 +133,6 @@ static void clear_packed_ref_cache(struct packed_ref_store *refs)
 	if (refs->cache) {
 		struct packed_ref_cache *cache = refs->cache;
 
-		if (is_lock_file_locked(&refs->lock))
-			die("BUG: packed-ref cache cleared while locked");
 		refs->cache = NULL;
 		release_packed_ref_cache(cache);
 	}