diff --git a/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py b/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py
index c117aab7c401..652cc600fad5 100644
--- a/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py
+++ b/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py
@@ -165,8 +165,6 @@ class StartCommand:
         )
         if not allow_reboot:
             qemu_opts += " -no-reboot"
-        # TODO: qemu script already catpures this env variable, legacy?
-        qemu_opts += " " + os.environ.get("QEMU_OPTS", "")
 
         return (
             f"{self._cmd}"