diff --git a/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/indels/IntervalCleanerWalker.java b/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/indels/IntervalCleanerWalker.java
index 051e7e4c7..b7caee706 100755
--- a/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/indels/IntervalCleanerWalker.java
+++ b/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/indels/IntervalCleanerWalker.java
@@ -365,7 +365,6 @@ public class  IntervalCleanerWalker extends LocusWindowWalker<Integer, Integer>
 
             //logger.debug(consensus.str +  " " + consensus.mismatchSum);
             if ( bestConsensus == null || bestConsensus.mismatchSum > consensus.mismatchSum) {
-                if ( bestConsensus != null ) bestConsensus.readIndexes.clear(); // forget the old best consensus data, do not waste memory
                 bestConsensus = consensus;
                 //logger.debug(consensus.str +  " " + consensus.mismatchSum);
             } else {