diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/scale.py b/lib/matplotlib/scale.py
index 8f771d90f368..68c62738653c 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/scale.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/scale.py
@@ -60,12 +60,8 @@ class LinearScale(ScaleBase):
     """
     The default linear scale.
     """
-
     name = 'linear'
 
-    def __init__(self, axis, **kwargs):
-        pass
-
     def set_default_locators_and_formatters(self, axis):
         """
         Set the locators and formatters to reasonable defaults for