diff --git a/fftools/ffmpeg_filter.c b/fftools/ffmpeg_filter.c
index ceab58da19..41d96267bc 100644
--- a/fftools/ffmpeg_filter.c
+++ b/fftools/ffmpeg_filter.c
@@ -1472,11 +1472,6 @@ fail:
 static int configure_output_filter(FilterGraph *fg, AVFilterGraph *graph,
                                    OutputFilter *ofilter, AVFilterInOut *out)
 {
-    if (!ofilter->ost) {
-        av_log(fg, AV_LOG_FATAL, "Filter %s has an unconnected output\n", ofilter->name);
-        return AVERROR(EINVAL);
-    }
-
     switch (avfilter_pad_get_type(out->filter_ctx->output_pads, out->pad_idx)) {
     case AVMEDIA_TYPE_VIDEO: return configure_output_video_filter(fg, graph, ofilter, out);
     case AVMEDIA_TYPE_AUDIO: return configure_output_audio_filter(fg, graph, ofilter, out);