diff --git a/contrib/basic_archive/basic_archive.c b/contrib/basic_archive/basic_archive.c
index 028cf51c25d..5e1c14a01f1 100644
--- a/contrib/basic_archive/basic_archive.c
+++ b/contrib/basic_archive/basic_archive.c
@@ -88,13 +88,11 @@ _PG_archive_module_init(void)
 /*
  * check_archive_directory
  *
- * Checks that the provided archive directory exists.
+ * Checks that the provided archive directory path isn't too long.
  */
 static bool
 check_archive_directory(char **newval, void **extra, GucSource source)
 {
-	struct stat st;
-
 	/*
 	 * The default value is an empty string, so we have to accept that value.
 	 * Our check_configured callback also checks for this and prevents
@@ -113,17 +111,6 @@ check_archive_directory(char **newval, void **extra, GucSource source)
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	/*
-	 * Do a basic sanity check that the specified archive directory exists. It
-	 * could be removed at some point in the future, so we still need to be
-	 * prepared for it not to exist in the actual archiving logic.
-	 */
-	if (stat(*newval, &st) != 0 || !S_ISDIR(st.st_mode))
-	{
-		GUC_check_errdetail("Specified archive directory does not exist.");
-		return false;
-	}
-
 	return true;
 }