diff --git a/Python/compile.c b/Python/compile.c
index de0a8e2..4340522 100644
--- a/Python/compile.c
+++ b/Python/compile.c
@@ -286,11 +286,7 @@
 	}
 	intern_strings(names);
 	intern_strings(varnames);
-	if (freevars == NULL)
-		freevars = PyTuple_New(0);
 	intern_strings(freevars);
-	if (cellvars == NULL)
-		cellvars = PyTuple_New(0);
 	intern_strings(cellvars);
 	/* Intern selected string constants */
 	for (i = PyTuple_Size(consts); --i >= 0; ) {