diff --git a/gunicorn/arbiter.py b/gunicorn/arbiter.py
index deff9010..daa418e6 100644
--- a/gunicorn/arbiter.py
+++ b/gunicorn/arbiter.py
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ class Arbiter(object):
         self.pidfile = self.opts.get("pidfile")
         self.log.info("Booted Arbiter: %s" % os.getpid())
         self.log.info("Listening on socket: %s" % self.LISTENER)
+        if 'GUNICORN_FD' in os.environ:
+            del os.environ['GUNICORN_FD']
         
     def _del_pidfile(self):
         self._pidfile = None