diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index f48af74..bf094f0 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -23,28 +23,5 @@ htmldoc:
 
 .PHONY: doc psdoc pdfdoc htmldoc
 
-# make required device file
-dev:
-	mknod -m 600 /dev/raw1394 c 171 0
-	chown root.root /dev/raw1394
-	@echo
-	@echo "/dev/raw1394 created"
-	@echo "It is owned by root with permissions 600.  You may want to fix"
-	@echo "the group/permission to something appropriate for you."
-	@echo "Note however that anyone who can open raw1394 can access all"
-	@echo "devices on all connected 1394 buses unrestricted, including"
-	@echo "harddisks and other probably sensitive devices."
-	@echo
-
-install-exec-hook:
-	@if [ ! -c /dev/raw1394 ]; then                              \
-		echo;                                                \
-		echo "********************************************"; \
-		echo "Required /dev/raw1394 device file not found."; \
-		echo "Run 'make dev' to create it.";                 \
-		echo "********************************************"; \
-		echo;                                                \
-	fi
-
 dist-hook:
 	git log >$(distdir)/ChangeLog