diff --git a/dumpcap.c b/dumpcap.c
index 7ed3face4c..eed5abba1b 100644
--- a/dumpcap.c
+++ b/dumpcap.c
@@ -1664,11 +1664,6 @@ cap_pipe_open_live(char *pipename,
         /* read the pcap header */
         bytes_read = 0;
         while (bytes_read < sizeof magic) {
-            if (fd == -1) {
-                g_snprintf(errmsg, errmsgl, "Invalid file descriptor.");
-                goto error;
-            }
-
             sel_ret = cap_pipe_select(fd);
             if (sel_ret < 0) {
                 g_snprintf(errmsg, errmsgl,