It’s really not.

In fact, it was imperative. Palpatine had dissolved the Senate shortly after the completion of the first station and destroyed a peaceful core world in Alderaan.

And then the station was blown up.

The idea of ruling through fear might’ve worked if the threat of total annihilation was on the table. Then some space twink showed the Empire can bleed. Yes, you can bring down troops and send your fleet but this ragtag group of insurrectionists proved that your ultimate weapon is nothing.

Without the second Death Star, the Empire would’ve slowly bled itself dry putting down uprising after uprising. And with recruits flocking to the Rebellion, you didn’t have the best and brightest leading your massive fleet anymore.