--- a/lisp/desktop.el
+++ b/lisp/desktop.el
@@ -1190,7 +1190,6 @@
 	    (desktop-auto-save-enable)
 	    t))
       ;; No desktop file found.
-      (desktop-clear)
       (let ((default-directory desktop-dirname))
         (run-hooks 'desktop-no-desktop-file-hook))
       (message "No desktop file.")
