diff --git a/src/lib/datasource/S3.ts b/src/lib/datasource/S3.ts
index 089dd64..39dd8f4 100644
--- a/src/lib/datasource/S3.ts
+++ b/src/lib/datasource/S3.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import {
   DeleteObjectCommand,
   DeleteObjectsCommand,
   GetObjectCommand,
-  ListBucketsCommand,
   ListObjectsCommand,
   PutObjectCommand,
   S3Client,
@@ -38,32 +37,6 @@ export class S3Datasource extends Datasource {
       endpoint: this.options.endpoint ?? undefined,
       forcePathStyle: this.options.forcePathStyle ?? false,
     });
-
-    this.ensureBucketExists();
-  }
-
-  private async ensureBucketExists() {
-    try {
-      const res = await this.client.send(new ListBucketsCommand());
-      if (res.$metadata.httpStatusCode !== 200) {
-        this.logger
-          .error('there was an error while listing buckets', res.$metadata as Record<string, unknown>)
-          .error('zipline will now exit');
-        process.exit(1);
-      }
-
-      if (!res.Buckets?.find((bucket) => bucket.Name === this.options.bucket)) {
-        this.logger.error(`bucket ${this.options.bucket} does not exist`).error('zipline will now exit');
-        process.exit(1);
-      }
-    } catch (e) {
-      this.logger
-        .error('there was an error while listing buckets', e as Record<string, unknown>)
-        .error('zipline will now exit');
-      process.exit(1);
-    } finally {
-      this.logger.debug(`bucket ${this.options.bucket} exists`);
-    }
   }
 
   public async get(file: string): Promise<Readable | null> {