diff --git a/src/cli.ts b/src/cli.ts
index f74005ee..a970ab7c 100644
--- a/src/cli.ts
+++ b/src/cli.ts
@@ -30,13 +30,6 @@ process.on('unhandledRejection', async (err) => {
   process.exit(1);
 });
 
-// check that environment variable GITLAB_PRIVATE_TOKEN is set
-if (typeof process.env.GITLAB_PRIVATE_TOKEN !== 'string' || process.env.GITLAB_PRIVATE_TOKEN.length === 0) {
-  // tslint:disable-next-line:no-floating-promises
-  Logger.error('Environment variable GITLAB_PRIVATE_TOKEN is not set!');
-  process.exit(1);
-}
-
 const gitlabApi = new Api(GITLAB_API_URL, process.env.GITLAB_PRIVATE_TOKEN as string);
 
 if (existsSync(join(__dirname, 'package.json'))) {