diff --git a/clutter/clutter-box.c b/clutter/clutter-box.c
index 187d21224..837b0e785 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-box.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-box.c
@@ -308,20 +308,6 @@ clutter_box_real_get_preferred_width (ClutterActor *actor,
 {
   ClutterBoxPrivate *priv = CLUTTER_BOX (actor)->priv;
 
-  /* if we don't have any children don't bother proxying the
-   * call to the layout manager instance
-   */
-  if (priv->children == NULL || priv->manager == NULL)
-    {
-      if (min_width)
-        *min_width = 0.0;
-
-      if (natural_width)
-        *natural_width = 0.0;
-
-      return;
-    }
-
   clutter_layout_manager_get_preferred_width (priv->manager,
                                               CLUTTER_CONTAINER (actor),
                                               for_height,
@@ -336,20 +322,6 @@ clutter_box_real_get_preferred_height (ClutterActor *actor,
 {
   ClutterBoxPrivate *priv = CLUTTER_BOX (actor)->priv;
 
-  /* if we don't have any children don't bother proxying the
-   * call to the layout manager instance
-   */
-  if (priv->children == NULL || priv->manager == NULL)
-    {
-      if (min_height)
-        *min_height = 0.0;
-
-      if (natural_height)
-        *natural_height = 0.0;
-
-      return;
-    }
-
   clutter_layout_manager_get_preferred_height (priv->manager,
                                                CLUTTER_CONTAINER (actor),
                                                for_width,
@@ -367,9 +339,6 @@ clutter_box_real_allocate (ClutterActor           *actor,
   klass = CLUTTER_ACTOR_CLASS (clutter_box_parent_class);
   klass->allocate (actor, allocation, flags);
 
-  if (priv->children == NULL || priv->manager == NULL)
-    return;
-
   clutter_layout_manager_allocate (priv->manager,
                                    CLUTTER_CONTAINER (actor),
                                    allocation, flags);