In interphase, chromosomes are associated with proteins and RNAs that participate in many processes, such as DNA replication, transcription, recombination and repair of DNA damage. These components (for example, cohesin) might have to be removed during mitosis, as they might become obstacles that inhibit chromosome segregation or reduce its fidelity. Such a clearing mechanism that operates along mitotic chromosomes might require proteins that are implicated in chromosome segregation. I propose that condensin and DNA topoisomerase II (TOP2), as well as separase, help to clear the way for mitosis.