diff --git a/nimble/host/mesh/src/settings.c b/nimble/host/mesh/src/settings.c
index 72ae1720f..0f75c305c 100644
--- a/nimble/host/mesh/src/settings.c
+++ b/nimble/host/mesh/src/settings.c
@@ -380,7 +380,6 @@ static int net_key_set(int argc, char **argv, char *val)
 static int app_key_set(int argc, char **argv, char *val)
 {
 	struct bt_mesh_app_key *app;
-	struct bt_mesh_subnet *sub;
 	struct app_key_val key;
 	u16_t app_idx;
 	int len, err;
@@ -412,12 +411,6 @@ static int app_key_set(int argc, char **argv, char *val)
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
-	sub = bt_mesh_subnet_get(key.net_idx);
-	if (!sub) {
-		BT_ERR("Failed to find subnet 0x%03x", key.net_idx);
-		return -ENOENT;
-	}
-
 	app = bt_mesh_app_key_find(app_idx);
 	if (!app) {
 		app = bt_mesh_app_key_alloc(app_idx);