diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/registry/lib/externalModules.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/registry/lib/externalModules.js
index f6cbae9bc..a7ce04f63 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/registry/lib/externalModules.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/registry/lib/externalModules.js
@@ -28,11 +28,6 @@ let installEnabled = true;
 let installAllowList = ['*'];
 let installDenyList = [];
 
-let IMPORT_SUPPORTED = true;
-const nodeVersionParts = process.versions.node.split(".").map(v => parseInt(v));
-if (nodeVersionParts[0] < 12 || (nodeVersionParts[0] === 12 && nodeVersionParts[1] < 17)) {
-    IMPORT_SUPPORTED = false;
-}
 
 function getInstallDir() {
     return path.resolve(settings.userDir || process.env.NODE_RED_HOME || ".");
@@ -110,18 +105,6 @@ function requireModule(module) {
     return require(moduleDir);
 }
 function importModule(module) {
-    if (!IMPORT_SUPPORTED) {
-        // On Node < 12.17 - fall back to try a require
-        return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-            try {
-                const mod = requireModule(module);
-                resolve(mod);
-            } catch(err) {
-                reject(err);
-            }
-        });
-    }
-
     if (!registryUtil.checkModuleAllowed( module, null,installAllowList,installDenyList)) {
         const e = new Error("Module not allowed");
         e.code = "module_not_allowed";