diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/LocaleUtils.java b/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/LocaleUtils.java
index 553baeeb4..c203901d4 100644
--- a/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/LocaleUtils.java
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/LocaleUtils.java
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ private static synchronized void initAvailableLocaleList() {
      *
      * @return the unmodifiable set of available locales
      */
-    public static synchronized Set<Locale> availableLocaleSet() {
+    public static Set<Locale> availableLocaleSet() {
         if(cAvailableLocaleSet == null) { 
             initAvailableLocaleSet(); 
         }