diff --git a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py
index 6a8a7697c8..7a9ed05874 100644
--- a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py
+++ b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py
@@ -235,12 +235,6 @@ def get_bkg_dict(self, task_config: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, List[str]]:
             a dictionary containing the list of model background files to copy for FileHandler
         """
         # NOTE for now this is FV3 RESTART files and just assumed to be fh006
-
-        bkgdir = [
-            os.path.join(task_config.DATA, 'bkg'),
-        ]
-        FileHandler({'mkdir': bkgdir}).sync()
-
         # loop over ensemble members
         dirlist = []
         bkglist = []