diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py b/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
index 7d54994c1c61..90cbf345e4fd 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ def validate_fonttype(s):
         return fonttype
 
 
-#validate_backend = ValidateInStrings('backend', all_backends, ignorecase=True)
 _validate_standard_backends = ValidateInStrings('backend',
                                                 all_backends,
                                                 ignorecase=True)