diff --git a/lib/readline.js b/lib/readline.js
index 8dba5d23749..add3a6a4bd9 100644
--- a/lib/readline.js
+++ b/lib/readline.js
@@ -768,10 +768,6 @@ Interface.prototype._ttyWrite = function(s, key) {
         this._deleteWordRight();
         break;
 
-      case 'backspace':
-        this._deleteWordLeft();
-        break;
-
       case 'left':
         this._wordLeft();
         break;