diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_mesh_arnold_attributes.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_mesh_arnold_attributes.py
index 526ebbac99..bde78a98b8 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_mesh_arnold_attributes.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_mesh_arnold_attributes.py
@@ -39,12 +39,6 @@ class ValidateMeshArnoldAttributes(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
     # cache (will be `dict` when cached)
     arnold_mesh_defaults = None
 
-    @classmethod
-    def apply_settings(cls, project_settings, system_settings):
-        # todo: this should not be done this way
-        attr = "defaultRenderGlobals.currentRenderer"
-        cls.active = cmds.getAttr(attr).lower() == "arnold"
-
     @classmethod
     def get_default_attributes(cls):