diff --git a/smtpd/mail.lmtp.c b/smtpd/mail.lmtp.c
index f24549ad..e3487963 100644
--- a/smtpd/mail.lmtp.c
+++ b/smtpd/mail.lmtp.c
@@ -217,7 +217,6 @@ lmtp_engine(FILE *conn, struct session *session)
 	enum phase phase = PHASE_BANNER;
 
 	do {
-		fflush(conn);
 		if ((linelen = getline(&line, &linesize, conn)) == -1) {
 			if (ferror(conn))
 				err(EX_TEMPFAIL, "getline");