diff --git a/core/includes/theme.inc b/core/includes/theme.inc
index e26dde7..e2c06ec 100644
--- a/core/includes/theme.inc
+++ b/core/includes/theme.inc
@@ -2646,9 +2646,6 @@ function template_preprocess(&$variables, $hook) {
   if (!isset($default_variables)) {
     $default_variables = _template_preprocess_default_variables();
   }
-  if (!isset($default_attributes)) {
-    $default_attributes = new Attribute(array('class' => array()));
-  }
   $variables += $default_variables + array(
     'attributes' => array(),
     'title_attributes' => array(),