diff --git a/src/win/signal.c b/src/win/signal.c
index e35e1ff9..f96e07ba 100644
--- a/src/win/signal.c
+++ b/src/win/signal.c
@@ -231,8 +231,6 @@ int uv_signal_init(uv_loop_t* loop, uv_signal_t* handle) {
   req->type = UV_SIGNAL_REQ;
   req->data = handle;
 
-  uv__handle_start(handle);
-
   return 0;
 }