diff --git a/akanda/rug/api/nova.py b/akanda/rug/api/nova.py
index 78dbbbcc..bf40cdb6 100644
--- a/akanda/rug/api/nova.py
+++ b/akanda/rug/api/nova.py
@@ -46,8 +46,6 @@ class Nova(object):
         # finally cleaned up.
         LOG.debug('creating vm for router %s with image %s',
                   router.id, router_image_uuid)
-        self.client.client.unauthenticate()
-        self.client.client.authenticate()
         server = self.client.servers.create(
             'ak-' + router.id,
             image=router_image_uuid,
diff --git a/akanda/rug/test/unit/api/test_nova_wrapper.py b/akanda/rug/test/unit/api/test_nova_wrapper.py
index 5a29af92..ac9e6dff 100644
--- a/akanda/rug/test/unit/api/test_nova_wrapper.py
+++ b/akanda/rug/test/unit/api/test_nova_wrapper.py
@@ -92,8 +92,6 @@ class TestNovaWrapper(unittest.TestCase):
         ]
 
         self.nova.create_router_instance(fake_router, 'GLANCE-IMAGE-123')
-        self.client.client.unauthenticate.assert_called_once()
-        self.client.client.authenticate.assert_called_once()
         self.client.assert_has_calls(expected)
 
     def test_get_instance(self):