diff --git a/piker/__init__.py b/piker/__init__.py
index c84bfac2..a6437f88 100644
--- a/piker/__init__.py
+++ b/piker/__init__.py
@@ -18,10 +18,3 @@
 piker: trading gear for hackers.
 
 """
-import msgpack  # noqa
-
-# TODO: remove this now right?
-import msgpack_numpy
-
-# patch msgpack for numpy arrays
-msgpack_numpy.patch()
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 6f8fd898..faaa8dac 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ setup(
         'numpy',
         'numba',
         'pandas',
-        'msgpack-numpy',
 
         # UI
         'PyQt5',