diff --git a/src/main/java/org/verapdf/pd/PDPage.java b/src/main/java/org/verapdf/pd/PDPage.java
index 443ff453..76e29180 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/verapdf/pd/PDPage.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/verapdf/pd/PDPage.java
@@ -300,9 +300,6 @@ public List<PDAnnotation> getAnnotations() {
                 }
             }
             return Collections.unmodifiableList(res);
-        } else if (annots.empty()) {
-            annots = COSArray.construct();
-            this.setKey(ASAtom.ANNOTS, annots);
         }
         return Collections.emptyList();
     }