diff --git a/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py b/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py
index 4326e98a28..3f7c93ffcb 100644
--- a/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py
+++ b/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py
@@ -345,7 +345,6 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
         else:
             query_bytes = b""
 
-        # Retreive current span
         scope = start_active_span(
             "outgoing-federation-request",
             tags={