diff --git a/kafka/producer/kafka.py b/kafka/producer/kafka.py
index f285ab474..ffe32c65e 100644
--- a/kafka/producer/kafka.py
+++ b/kafka/producer/kafka.py
@@ -420,9 +420,6 @@ def _unregister_cleanup(self):
                     pass
         self._cleanup = None
 
-    def __del__(self):
-        self.close(timeout=0)
-
     def close(self, timeout=None):
         """Close this producer.