diff --git a/libs/labelbox/src/labelbox/schema/project.py b/libs/labelbox/src/labelbox/schema/project.py
index a700b5ec4..8c89b9ae4 100644
--- a/libs/labelbox/src/labelbox/schema/project.py
+++ b/libs/labelbox/src/labelbox/schema/project.py
@@ -564,15 +564,8 @@ def upsert_instructions(self, instructions_file: str) -> None:
 
         Raises:
             ValueError:
-                * project must be setup
                 * instructions file must have a ".pdf" or ".html" extension
         """
-
-        if self.setup_complete is None:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Cannot attach instructions to a project that has not been set up."
-            )
-
         frontend = self.labeling_frontend()
 
         if frontend.name != "Editor":
@@ -705,7 +698,6 @@ def connect_ontology(self, ontology) -> None:
             query_str, {"ontologyId": ontology.uid, "projectId": self.uid}
         )
         timestamp = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ")
-        self.update(setup_complete=timestamp)
 
     def _connect_default_labeling_front_end(self, ontology_as_dict: dict):
         labeling_frontend = self.labeling_frontend()
diff --git a/libs/labelbox/tests/integration/test_project.py b/libs/labelbox/tests/integration/test_project.py
index 6a9825cfc..cbb6198e7 100644
--- a/libs/labelbox/tests/integration/test_project.py
+++ b/libs/labelbox/tests/integration/test_project.py
@@ -140,12 +140,6 @@ def test_extend_reservations(project):
 
 
 def test_attach_instructions(client, project):
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError) as execinfo:
-        project.upsert_instructions("tests/integration/media/sample_pdf.pdf")
-    assert (
-        str(execinfo.value)
-        == "Cannot attach instructions to a project that has not been set up."
-    )
     ontology_builder = OntologyBuilder(
         tools=[
             Tool(tool=Tool.Type.BBOX, name="test-bbox-class"),