diff --git a/Lib/fontTools/varLib/iup.py b/Lib/fontTools/varLib/iup.py
index 0f1232ad2..0b7dcb7e9 100644
--- a/Lib/fontTools/varLib/iup.py
+++ b/Lib/fontTools/varLib/iup.py
@@ -15,16 +15,6 @@ from typing import (
 )
 from numbers import Integral, Real
 
-try:
-    import cython
-
-    COMPILED = cython.compiled
-except (AttributeError, ImportError):
-    # if cython not installed, use mock module with no-op decorators and types
-    from fontTools.misc import cython
-
-    COMPILED = False
-
 
 _Point = Tuple[Real, Real]
 _Delta = Tuple[Real, Real]