diff --git a/securesystemslib/gpg/functions.py b/securesystemslib/gpg/functions.py
index af5659a3..15e0b1f7 100644
--- a/securesystemslib/gpg/functions.py
+++ b/securesystemslib/gpg/functions.py
@@ -185,9 +185,6 @@ def verify_signature(signature_object, pubkey_info, content):
     securesystemslib.gpg.exceptions.KeyExpirationError:
             if the passed public key has expired
 
-    securesystemslib.exceptions.UnsupportedLibraryError:
-            If the gpg command is not available
-
   <Side Effects>
     None.
 
@@ -195,9 +192,6 @@ def verify_signature(signature_object, pubkey_info, content):
     True if signature verification passes, False otherwise.
 
   """
-  if not HAVE_GPG: # pragma: no cover
-    raise securesystemslib.exceptions.UnsupportedLibraryError(NO_GPG_MSG)
-
   securesystemslib.formats.GPG_PUBKEY_SCHEMA.check_match(pubkey_info)
   securesystemslib.formats.GPG_SIGNATURE_SCHEMA.check_match(signature_object)
 
diff --git a/tests/check_public_interfaces.py b/tests/check_public_interfaces.py
index bcfe78b7..a9d48b96 100644
--- a/tests/check_public_interfaces.py
+++ b/tests/check_public_interfaces.py
@@ -203,9 +203,6 @@ def test_gpg_cmds(self):
     with self.assertRaises(securesystemslib.exceptions.UnsupportedLibraryError):
       securesystemslib.gpg.functions.create_signature('bar')
 
-    with self.assertRaises(securesystemslib.exceptions.UnsupportedLibraryError):
-      securesystemslib.gpg.functions.verify_signature(None, 'f00', 'bar')
-
     with self.assertRaises(securesystemslib.exceptions.UnsupportedLibraryError):
       securesystemslib.gpg.functions.export_pubkey('f00')