diff --git a/phpseclib/Crypt/RSA.php b/phpseclib/Crypt/RSA.php
index 558cd5fa..186fcc08 100644
--- a/phpseclib/Crypt/RSA.php
+++ b/phpseclib/Crypt/RSA.php
@@ -349,20 +349,6 @@ class RSA
         }
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Initialize static variables
-     *
-     * @access private
-     */
-    static function _initialize_static_variables()
-    {
-        if (!isset(self::$zero)) {
-            self::$zero= new BigInteger(0);
-            self::$one = new BigInteger(1);
-            self::$configFile = __DIR__ . '/../openssl.cnf';
-        }
-    }
-
     /**
      * The constructor
      *