diff --git a/IPython/html/base/handlers.py b/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
index 8680f1d..58b0248 100644
--- a/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
+++ b/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
@@ -120,10 +120,6 @@ class IPythonHandler(AuthenticatedHandler):
             return Application.instance().log
         else:
             return app_log
-
-    @property
-    def profile_dir(self):
-        return self.settings.get('profile_dir', '')
     
     #---------------------------------------------------------------
     # URLs
diff --git a/IPython/html/notebookapp.py b/IPython/html/notebookapp.py
index c157187..6ca4e11 100644
--- a/IPython/html/notebookapp.py
+++ b/IPython/html/notebookapp.py
@@ -183,7 +183,6 @@ class NotebookWebApplication(web.Application):
             config=ipython_app.config,
             jinja2_env=env,
             terminals_available=False,  # Set later if terminals are available
-            profile_dir = ipython_app.profile_dir.location,
         )
 
         # allow custom overrides for the tornado web app.