diff --git a/hw/i386/pc_piix.c b/hw/i386/pc_piix.c
index 5705d6e155..9445b07b4f 100644
--- a/hw/i386/pc_piix.c
+++ b/hw/i386/pc_piix.c
@@ -688,7 +688,6 @@ DEFINE_I440FX_MACHINE(3, 0);
 static void pc_i440fx_machine_2_12_options(MachineClass *m)
 {
     pc_i440fx_machine_3_0_options(m);
-    m->deprecation_reason = "old and unattended - use a newer version instead";
     compat_props_add(m->compat_props, hw_compat_2_12, hw_compat_2_12_len);
     compat_props_add(m->compat_props, pc_compat_2_12, pc_compat_2_12_len);
 }