diff --git a/veilid-core/src/core_context.rs b/veilid-core/src/core_context.rs
index 630f7375..ba128687 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/core_context.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/core_context.rs
@@ -123,7 +123,6 @@ impl ServicesContext {
         let storage_manager = StorageManager::new(
             self.config.clone(),
             self.crypto.clone().unwrap(),
-            self.protected_store.clone().unwrap(),
             self.table_store.clone().unwrap(),
             #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")]
             self.block_store.clone().unwrap(),
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tests/test_serialize.rs b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tests/test_serialize.rs
index b3609745..5001770c 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tests/test_serialize.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tests/test_serialize.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ fn fake_routing_table() -> routing_table::RoutingTable {
     let storage_manager = storage_manager::StorageManager::new(
         veilid_config.clone(),
         crypto.clone(),
-        protected_store.clone(),
         table_store.clone(),
         #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")]
         block_store.clone(),
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/storage_manager/mod.rs b/veilid-core/src/storage_manager/mod.rs
index 42f30d94..64a42530 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/storage_manager/mod.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/storage_manager/mod.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ const FLUSH_RECORD_STORES_INTERVAL_SECS: u32 = 1;
 struct StorageManagerUnlockedInner {
     config: VeilidConfig,
     crypto: Crypto,
-    protected_store: ProtectedStore,
     table_store: TableStore,
     #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")]
     block_store: BlockStore,
@@ -47,14 +46,12 @@ impl StorageManager {
     fn new_unlocked_inner(
         config: VeilidConfig,
         crypto: Crypto,
-        protected_store: ProtectedStore,
         table_store: TableStore,
         #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")] block_store: BlockStore,
     ) -> StorageManagerUnlockedInner {
         StorageManagerUnlockedInner {
             config,
             crypto,
-            protected_store,
             table_store,
             #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")]
             block_store,
@@ -68,14 +65,12 @@ impl StorageManager {
     pub fn new(
         config: VeilidConfig,
         crypto: Crypto,
-        protected_store: ProtectedStore,
         table_store: TableStore,
         #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")] block_store: BlockStore,
     ) -> StorageManager {
         let unlocked_inner = Arc::new(Self::new_unlocked_inner(
             config,
             crypto,
-            protected_store,
             table_store,
             #[cfg(feature = "unstable-blockstore")]
             block_store,