diff --git a/adapter/internal/operator/controllers/dp/api_controller.go b/adapter/internal/operator/controllers/dp/api_controller.go
index af129a686..140d23cf2 100644
--- a/adapter/internal/operator/controllers/dp/api_controller.go
+++ b/adapter/internal/operator/controllers/dp/api_controller.go
@@ -1428,7 +1428,6 @@ func (apiReconciler *APIReconciler) retrieveParentAPIsAndUpdateOwnerReference(ct
 			return
 		}
 		requests = apiReconciler.getAPIsForAIProvider(ctx, &aiProvider)
-		apiReconciler.handleOwnerReference(ctx, &aiProvider, &requests)
 	case *gwapiv1a2.GRPCRoute:
 		var grpcRoute gwapiv1a2.GRPCRoute
 		namespaceName := types.NamespacedName{