diff --git a/openhands/core/cli.py b/openhands/core/cli.py
index 8604f80f7f5d..aa3c62e45311 100644
--- a/openhands/core/cli.py
+++ b/openhands/core/cli.py
@@ -194,8 +194,6 @@ async def on_event(event: Event):
 
     event_stream.subscribe(EventStreamSubscriber.MAIN, on_event, str(uuid4()))
 
-    await runtime.connect()
-
     asyncio.create_task(prompt_for_next_task())
 
     await run_agent_until_done(