diff --git a/chain/westend-local/config-alice.toml b/chain/westend-local/config-alice.toml
index 556ef95a64b..592980d240a 100644
--- a/chain/westend-local/config-alice.toml
+++ b/chain/westend-local/config-alice.toml
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ unlock = ""
 roles = 4
 babe-authority = true
 grandpa-authority = true
-babe-lead = true
 
 [network]
 port = 7001
diff --git a/lib/babe/babe.go b/lib/babe/babe.go
index 7916c716b00..e1ebc177efd 100644
--- a/lib/babe/babe.go
+++ b/lib/babe/babe.go
@@ -125,10 +125,6 @@ func (Builder) NewServiceIFace(cfg *ServiceConfig) (service *Service, err error)
 		cfg.Authority, babeService.constants.slotDuration, babeService.constants.epochLength,
 	)
 
-	if cfg.Lead {
-		logger.Debug("node designated to build block 1")
-	}
-
 	return babeService, nil
 }
 
@@ -177,10 +173,6 @@ func NewService(cfg *ServiceConfig) (*Service, error) {
 		cfg.Authority, babeService.constants.slotDuration, babeService.constants.epochLength,
 	)
 
-	if cfg.Lead {
-		logger.Debug("node designated to build block 1")
-	}
-
 	return babeService, nil
 }
 
@@ -190,55 +182,10 @@ func (b *Service) Start() error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// if we aren't leading node, wait for first block
-	if !b.lead {
-		if err := b.waitForFirstBlock(); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
 	go b.initiate()
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (b *Service) waitForFirstBlock() error {
-	head, err := b.blockState.BestBlockHeader()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot get best block header: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if head.Number > 0 {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	ch := b.blockState.GetImportedBlockNotifierChannel()
-	defer b.blockState.FreeImportedBlockNotifierChannel(ch)
-
-	const firstBlockTimeout = time.Minute * 5
-	timer := time.NewTimer(firstBlockTimeout)
-
-	// loop until block 1
-	for {
-		select {
-		case block, ok := <-ch:
-			if !ok {
-				timer.Stop()
-				return errChannelClosed
-			}
-
-			if ok && block.Header.Number > 0 {
-				timer.Stop()
-				return nil
-			}
-		case <-timer.C:
-			return errFirstBlockTimeout
-		case <-b.ctx.Done():
-			timer.Stop()
-			return b.ctx.Err()
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 // SlotDuration returns the current service slot duration in milliseconds
 func (b *Service) SlotDuration() uint64 {
 	return uint64(b.constants.slotDuration.Milliseconds())