diff --git a/Python/pylifecycle.c b/Python/pylifecycle.c
index d9fc28475a489d..0232ed6c382c61 100644
--- a/Python/pylifecycle.c
+++ b/Python/pylifecycle.c
@@ -1641,18 +1641,12 @@ Py_InitializeFromConfig(const PyConfig *config)
 void
 Py_InitializeEx(int install_sigs)
 {
-    PyStatus status;
-
-    status = _PyRuntime_Initialize();
-    if (_PyStatus_EXCEPTION(status)) {
-        Py_ExitStatusException(status);
-    }
-
     if (Py_IsInitialized()) {
         /* bpo-33932: Calling Py_Initialize() twice does nothing. */
         return;
     }
 
+    PyStatus status;
     PyConfig config;
     _PyConfig_InitCompatConfig(&config);