diff --git a/includes/bootstrap.inc b/includes/bootstrap.inc
index c7c484f..469964b 100644
--- a/includes/bootstrap.inc
+++ b/includes/bootstrap.inc
@@ -714,20 +714,9 @@ function variable_initialize($conf = array()) {
     $variables = $cached->data;
   }
   else {
-    // Cache miss. Avoid a stampede.
-    $name = 'variable_init';
-    if (!lock_acquire($name, 1)) {
-      // Another request is building the variable cache.
-      // Wait, then re-run this function.
-      lock_wait($name);
-      return variable_initialize($conf);
-    }
-    else {
-      // Proceed with variable rebuild.
-      $variables = array_map('unserialize', db_query('SELECT name, value FROM {variable}')->fetchAllKeyed());
-      cache_set('variables', $variables, 'cache_bootstrap');
-      lock_release($name);
-    }
+    // Proceed with variable rebuild.
+    $variables = array_map('unserialize', db_query('SELECT name, value FROM {variable}')->fetchAllKeyed());
+    cache_set('variables', $variables, 'cache_bootstrap');
   }
 
   foreach ($conf as $name => $value) {