diff --git a/pypeec/io.py b/pypeec/io.py
index 65000855..756b579f 100644
--- a/pypeec/io.py
+++ b/pypeec/io.py
@@ -172,9 +172,6 @@ def load_pickle(filename):
         Python data contained in the file content
     """
 
-    # check extension
-    (name, ext) = os.path.splitext(filename)
-
     # load the Pickle file
     try:
         with open(filename, "rb") as fid:
@@ -201,9 +198,6 @@ def write_pickle(filename, data):
         Python data to be saved.
     """
 
-    # check extension
-    (name, ext) = os.path.splitext(filename)
-
     # save the Pickle file
     try:
         with open(filename, "wb") as fid: