diff --git a/systems/genericx86/system.py b/systems/genericx86/system.py
index 7c7a48eba..ef64dc6d5 100644
--- a/systems/genericx86/system.py
+++ b/systems/genericx86/system.py
@@ -40,6 +40,4 @@ def sw_description(self):
       pkg_spec: gcc
     default-mpi:
       pkg_spec: openmpi
-    zlib-api:
-      require: zlib
 """