diff --git a/gluon/shell.py b/gluon/shell.py
index cca274df..f8de2abd 100644
--- a/gluon/shell.py
+++ b/gluon/shell.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ from gluon.restricted import RestrictedError
 from gluon.globals import Request, Response, Session
 from gluon.storage import Storage, List
 from gluon.admin import w2p_unpack
-from gluon.fileutils import create_missing_app_folders
 from pydal.base import BaseAdapter
 from gluon._compat import iteritems, ClassType, PY2
 
@@ -167,9 +166,6 @@ def env(
         path_info = '%s?%s' % (path_info, '&'.join(vars))
     request.env.path_info = path_info
 
-    # Ensure necessary folders are created
-    create_missing_app_folders(request)
-
     # Monkey patch so credentials checks pass.
 
     def check_credentials(request, other_application='admin'):