diff --git a/setup/so-functions b/setup/so-functions
index 2f5c8e1a0..88cd8bb6c 100755
--- a/setup/so-functions
+++ b/setup/so-functions
@@ -1488,9 +1488,6 @@ create_strelka_pillar() {
 backup_pillar() {
 	title "Create the backup pillar file"
 	touch $adv_backup_pillar_file
-	printf '%s\n'\
-		"backup:"\
-		"  locations: []" > "$backup_pillar_file"
 }
 
 soctopus_pillar() {