diff --git a/packages/apollo-server-core/src/ApolloServer.ts b/packages/apollo-server-core/src/ApolloServer.ts
index 2951eb843c3..a4fc1c232ac 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-server-core/src/ApolloServer.ts
+++ b/packages/apollo-server-core/src/ApolloServer.ts
@@ -81,11 +81,6 @@ export type SchemaDerivedData = {
 
 type ServerState =
   | { phase: 'initialized'; schemaManager: SchemaManager }
-  | {
-      phase: 'starting';
-      barrier: Resolvable<void>;
-      schemaManager: SchemaManager;
-    }
   | {
       phase: 'invoking serverWillStart';
       barrier: Resolvable<void>;
@@ -370,11 +365,6 @@ export class ApolloServerBase {
     }
     const schemaManager = this.state.schemaManager;
     const barrier = resolvable();
-    this.state = {
-      phase: 'starting',
-      barrier,
-      schemaManager,
-    };
     let loadedSchema = false;
     try {
       await schemaManager.start();
@@ -523,7 +513,6 @@ export class ApolloServerBase {
           throw new Error(
             'You need to call `server.start()` before using your Apollo Server.',
           );
-        case 'starting':
         case 'invoking serverWillStart':
           await this.state.barrier;
           // continue the while loop