diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index ecee982e3..fc9718006 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -71,9 +71,6 @@ SPOOLDIR = $(DESTDIR)@localstatedir@/lib/ejabberd
 # /var/lock/ejabberdctl
 CTLLOCKDIR = $(DESTDIR)@localstatedir@/lock/ejabberdctl
 
-# /var/lib/ejabberd/.erlang.cookie
-COOKIEFILE = $(SPOOLDIR)/.erlang.cookie
-
 # /var/log/ejabberd/
 LOGDIR = $(DESTDIR)@localstatedir@/log/ejabberd
 
@@ -315,7 +312,6 @@ install: copy-files
 	$(INSTALL) -d -m 750 $(O_USER) $(SPOOLDIR)
 	$(CHOWN_COMMAND) -R @INSTALLUSER@ $(SPOOLDIR) >$(CHOWN_OUTPUT)
 	chmod -R 750 $(SPOOLDIR)
-	[ ! -f $(COOKIEFILE) ] || { $(CHOWN_COMMAND) @INSTALLUSER@ $(COOKIEFILE) >$(CHOWN_OUTPUT) ; chmod 400 $(COOKIEFILE) ; }
 	#
 	# ejabberdctl lock directory
 	$(INSTALL) -d -m 750 $(O_USER) $(CTLLOCKDIR)