diff --git a/database.rules.json b/database.rules.json
index 2fbd260d8..d136bd684 100644
--- a/database.rules.json
+++ b/database.rules.json
@@ -7,11 +7,6 @@
         ".indexOn": ".value"
       }
     },
-    "agents": {
-      "$provider": {
-        ".indexOn": ".value"
-      }
-    },
     "assignments": {
       "$provider": {
         ".indexOn": ".value"
diff --git a/functions/src/subscriptions.ts b/functions/src/subscriptions.ts
index 1ac70433b..a5f6e1f0a 100644
--- a/functions/src/subscriptions.ts
+++ b/functions/src/subscriptions.ts
@@ -35,13 +35,6 @@ export const subscribe = functions.https.onCall(async (data, context) => {
 
       // acquire an agent. this might cause a reconnection but it's ok because
       // the user just opened the app.
-      await admin
-        .database()
-        .ref("agents")
-        .child(provider)
-        .child(channel)
-        .set("");
-      
       await admin
         .database()
         .ref("requests")
@@ -79,13 +72,6 @@ export const unsubscribe = functions.pubsub
             console.log("unsubscribing from", provider, channel);
 
             // release the agent.
-            await admin
-              .database()
-              .ref("agents")
-              .child(provider)
-              .child(channel)
-              .set(null);
-            
             await admin
               .database()
               .ref("assignments")