diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarapp/AvatarsModel.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarapp/AvatarsModel.qml
index 012cfc3b79..731ee214ec 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarapp/AvatarsModel.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarapp/AvatarsModel.qml
@@ -37,17 +37,6 @@ ListModel {
         return trimmedUrl;
     }
 	
-    function imageExists(imageUrl) {
-
-        var http = new XMLHttpRequest();
-
-        http.open('HEAD', imageUrl, false);
-        http.send();
-
-        return http.status !== 404;
-
-    }
-
     function makeThumbnailUrl(avatarUrl) {
         var marketId = extractMarketId(avatarUrl);
         if (marketId !== '') {
@@ -55,11 +44,6 @@ ListModel {
         }
         
         var avatarThumbnailFileUrl = trimFileExtension(avatarUrl) + ".jpg";
-        var thumbnailExist = imageExists(avatarThumbnailFileUrl);
-        
-        if (!thumbnailExist) {
-            return '';
-        }
         
         return avatarThumbnailFileUrl;
     }