diff --git a/lib/fs.js b/lib/fs.js
index c3c6f0536e3ef3..9140393ba68c3a 100644
--- a/lib/fs.js
+++ b/lib/fs.js
@@ -1961,7 +1961,6 @@ ReadStream.prototype._read = function(n) {
 
   if (!pool || pool.length - pool.used < kMinPoolSpace) {
     // discard the old pool.
-    pool = null;
     allocNewPool(this._readableState.highWaterMark);
   }