diff --git a/slixmpp/basexmpp.py b/slixmpp/basexmpp.py
index 6ade0e3c..f603b72c 100644
--- a/slixmpp/basexmpp.py
+++ b/slixmpp/basexmpp.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ from slixmpp.exceptions import IqError, IqTimeout
 
 from slixmpp.stanza import Message, Presence, Iq, StreamError
 from slixmpp.stanza.roster import Roster
-from slixmpp.stanza.nick import Nick
 
 from slixmpp.xmlstream import XMLStream, JID
 from slixmpp.xmlstream import ET, register_stanza_plugin
@@ -194,7 +193,6 @@ class BaseXMPP(XMLStream):
 
         # Initialize a few default stanza plugins.
         register_stanza_plugin(Iq, Roster)
-        register_stanza_plugin(Message, Nick)
 
     def start_stream_handler(self, xml):
         """Save the stream ID once the streams have been established.
diff --git a/slixmpp/stanza/nick.py b/slixmpp/stanza/nick.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 3bb7d63d..00000000
--- a/slixmpp/stanza/nick.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-"""
-    Slixmpp: The Slick XMPP Library
-    Copyright (C) 2010  Nathanael C. Fritz
-    This file is part of Slixmpp.
-
-    See the file LICENSE for copying permission.
-"""
-
-# The nickname stanza has been moved to its own plugin, but the existing
-# references are kept for backwards compatibility.
-
-from slixmpp.stanza import Message, Presence
-from slixmpp.xmlstream import register_stanza_plugin
-from slixmpp.plugins.xep_0172 import UserNick as Nick
-
-register_stanza_plugin(Message, Nick)
-register_stanza_plugin(Presence, Nick)