diff --git a/notebook/__init__.py b/notebook/__init__.py
index f2c77a12c..355c38ceb 100644
--- a/notebook/__init__.py
+++ b/notebook/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 from ._version import __version__
-from .serverextension import load_jupyter_server_extension
 
 
 def _jupyter_server_extension_paths():
diff --git a/notebook/serverextension.py b/notebook/serverextension.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 2f87b8ff2..000000000
--- a/notebook/serverextension.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-def load_jupyter_server_extension(serverapp):
-    from .app import NotebookApp
-    extension = NotebookApp()
-    extension.serverapp = serverapp
-    extension.load_config_file()
-    extension.update_config(serverapp.config)
-    extension.parse_command_line(serverapp.extra_args)
-    extension.initialize()