diff --git a/programs/explorer/desktop.c b/programs/explorer/desktop.c
index 743da35f649..8d030943c43 100644
--- a/programs/explorer/desktop.c
+++ b/programs/explorer/desktop.c
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ WINE_DEFAULT_DEBUG_CHANNEL(explorer);
 #define DESKTOP_CLASS_ATOM ((LPCWSTR)MAKEINTATOM(32769))
 #define DESKTOP_ALL_ACCESS 0x01ff
 
-extern HANDLE __wine_make_process_system(void);
-
 static BOOL using_root;
 
 /* window procedure for the desktop window */
@@ -231,10 +229,6 @@ void manage_desktop( char *arg )
     /* run the desktop message loop */
     if (hwnd)
     {
-        /* we don't use the system process event, the server
-         * posts a WM_CLOSE when the last desktop user is gone */
-        CloseHandle( __wine_make_process_system() );
-
         WINE_TRACE( "desktop message loop starting on hwnd %p\n", hwnd );
         while (GetMessageW( &msg, 0, 0, 0 )) DispatchMessageW( &msg );
         WINE_TRACE( "desktop message loop exiting for hwnd %p\n", hwnd );