diff --git a/app/src/Controller/ExternalIdentitiesController.php b/app/src/Controller/ExternalIdentitiesController.php
index 35cf92a0b..0b19aa522 100644
--- a/app/src/Controller/ExternalIdentitiesController.php
+++ b/app/src/Controller/ExternalIdentitiesController.php
@@ -132,22 +132,6 @@ public function relink(string $id) {
       }
     }
 
-    // The people picker expects a valid $vv_obj, so set it.
-    // (This is usually set in StandardController by the standard actions.)
-    $table = $this->getCurrentTable();
-    $query = $table->findById($id);
-    
-    try {
-      $obj = $query->firstOrFail();
-    }
-    catch(\Exception $e) {
-      // findById throws Cake\Datasource\Exception\RecordNotFoundException
-      $this->Flash->error($e->getMessage());
-      return $this->generateRedirect(null);
-    }
-
-    $this->set('vv_obj', $obj);
-
     // Fall through to the view to render a People Picker
 
     $this->set('vv_title', __d('operation', 'relink.a', [__d('controller', 'ExternalIdentities', [1])]));