diff --git a/crates/core/component/stake/src/component/action_handler/delegate.rs b/crates/core/component/stake/src/component/action_handler/delegate.rs
index 6c5e1914d2..ef8fc4b1a8 100644
--- a/crates/core/component/stake/src/component/action_handler/delegate.rs
+++ b/crates/core/component/stake/src/component/action_handler/delegate.rs
@@ -131,7 +131,6 @@ impl ActionHandler for Delegate {
                 "first delegation to a `Defined` validator must be at least min_validator_stake"
             );
                 tracing::debug!(%validator, %unbonded_delegation, "first delegation to validator recorded");
-                state.set_validator_state(&validator, Inactive).await?;
             }
         }