diff --git a/release/files_common b/release/files_common
index 2d0b5f0514..5259f40776 100644
--- a/release/files_common
+++ b/release/files_common
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ selfdrive/__init__.py
 selfdrive/sentry.py
 selfdrive/tombstoned.py
 selfdrive/updated.py
-selfdrive/rtshield.py
 selfdrive/statsd.py
 
 system/logmessaged.py
diff --git a/selfdrive/rtshield.py b/selfdrive/rtshield.py
deleted file mode 100755
index 68dc4989cd..0000000000
--- a/selfdrive/rtshield.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-import os
-import time
-from typing import NoReturn
-
-from openpilot.common.realtime import set_core_affinity, set_realtime_priority
-
-# RT shield - ensure CPU 3 always remains available for RT processes
-#   runs as SCHED_FIFO with minimum priority to ensure kthreads don't
-#   get scheduled onto CPU 3, but it's always preemptible by realtime
-#   openpilot processes
-
-def main() -> NoReturn:
-  set_core_affinity([int(os.getenv("CORE", "3")), ])
-  set_realtime_priority(1)
-
-  while True:
-    time.sleep(0.000001)
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-  main()