diff --git a/library/compiler/inference/inference.factor b/library/compiler/inference/inference.factor
index 67f15bba94..10dcec230a 100644
--- a/library/compiler/inference/inference.factor
+++ b/library/compiler/inference/inference.factor
@@ -5,9 +5,6 @@ USING: arrays errors generic inspector interpreter io kernel
 math namespaces parser prettyprint sequences strings
 vectors words ;
 
-! This variable takes a boolean value.
-SYMBOL: inferring-base-case
-
 ! Called when a recursive call during base case inference is
 ! found. Either tries to infer another branch, or gives up.
 SYMBOL: base-case-continuation
@@ -104,7 +101,6 @@ M: quotation infer-quot ( quot -- )
 
 : with-infer ( quot -- )
     [
-        inferring-base-case off
         base-case-continuation off
         { } recursive-state set
         f init-inference
diff --git a/library/compiler/inference/words.factor b/library/compiler/inference/words.factor
index 958639f59b..0ed8648b3d 100644
--- a/library/compiler/inference/words.factor
+++ b/library/compiler/inference/words.factor
@@ -105,7 +105,6 @@ M: #call-label collect-recursion* ( label node -- )
     #! control flow by throwing an exception or restoring a
     #! continuation.
     [
-        dup [ inferring-base-case on ] when
         recursive-state get init-inference
         over >r inline-block nip
         [ terminated? get effect ] bind r>