diff --git a/_pytest/core.py b/_pytest/core.py
index 134a93ed0..4cc567aad 100644
--- a/_pytest/core.py
+++ b/_pytest/core.py
@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@ import inspect
 import py
 # don't import pytest to avoid circular imports
 
-assert py.__version__.split(".")[:2] >= ['1', '4'], ("installation problem: "
-    "%s is too old, remove or upgrade 'py'" % (py.__version__))
 
 py3 = sys.version_info > (3,0)