diff --git a/build_library/build_common.sh b/build_library/build_common.sh
index 09a31e6df4..12f07afd3f 100644
--- a/build_library/build_common.sh
+++ b/build_library/build_common.sh
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ copy_image() {
   local dst="${BUILD_DIR}/$2"
   if should_build_image $1; then
     echo "Creating $2 from $1..."
-    $(pv_cat_cmd) "${src}" >"${dst}" || die "Cannot copy $1 to $2"
+    cp "${src}" "${dst}" || die "Cannot copy $1 to $2"
   else
     mv "${src}" "${dst}" || die "Cannot move $1 to $2"
   fi
diff --git a/common.sh b/common.sh
index ac7e3d844c..e49316943d 100644
--- a/common.sh
+++ b/common.sh
@@ -14,23 +14,6 @@ fi
 # Ensure that any sub scripts we invoke get the max proc count.
 export NUM_JOBS
 
-# Returns the pv command if it's available, otherwise plain-old cat. Note that
-# this function echoes the command, rather than running it, so it can be used
-# as an argument to other commands (like sudo).
-pv_cat_cmd() {
-  if type -P pv >&/dev/null; then
-    # Limit pv's output to 80 columns, for readability.
-    local term_cols=$(stty size 2>/dev/null | cut -d' ' -f2)
-    if [[ ${term_cols:-0} -gt 80 ]]; then
-      echo pv -w 80
-    else
-      echo pv
-    fi
-  else
-    echo cat
-  fi
-}
-
 # Make sure we have the location and name of the calling script, using
 # the current value if it is already set.
 : ${SCRIPT_LOCATION:=$(dirname "$(readlink -f "$0")")}