diff --git a/question/export.php b/question/export.php
index 294175b0af5..fd965af004b 100644
--- a/question/export.php
+++ b/question/export.php
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@
         $categoryid = $pagevars['cat'];
     }
 
-    // ensure the files area exists for this course
-    make_upload_directory("$COURSE->id");
     list($catid, $catcontext) = explode(',', $pagevars['cat']);
     if (!$category = $DB->get_record("question_categories", array("id" => $catid, 'contextid' => $catcontext))) {
         print_error('nocategory','quiz');
diff --git a/question/import.php b/question/import.php
index a068d1588d2..7affec34e0d 100644
--- a/question/import.php
+++ b/question/import.php
@@ -42,9 +42,6 @@ if ($contexts === null) { // need to get the course from the chosen category
     $contexts->require_one_edit_tab_cap($edittab);
 }
 
-// ensure the files area exists for this course
-make_upload_directory("$COURSE->id");
-
 $PAGE->set_url($thispageurl->out());
 
 $import_form = new question_import_form($thispageurl, array('contexts'=>$contexts->having_one_edit_tab_cap('import'),