diff --git a/gtk/gtktextview.c b/gtk/gtktextview.c
index b0d53652be..77055a9cbf 100644
--- a/gtk/gtktextview.c
+++ b/gtk/gtktextview.c
@@ -276,8 +276,6 @@ struct _GtkTextViewPrivate
   guint cursor_handle_dragged : 1;
   guint selection_handle_dragged : 1;
   guint populate_all   : 1;
-
-  guint handling_key_event : 1;
 };
 
 struct _GtkTextPendingScroll
@@ -4967,8 +4965,6 @@ gtk_text_view_key_controller_key_pressed (GtkEventControllerKey *controller,
   if (priv->layout == NULL || get_buffer (text_view) == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  priv->handling_key_event = TRUE;
-
   /* Make sure input method knows where it is */
   flush_update_im_spot_location (text_view);
 
@@ -5019,8 +5015,6 @@ gtk_text_view_key_controller_key_pressed (GtkEventControllerKey *controller,
 
   gtk_text_view_selection_bubble_popup_unset (text_view);
 
-  priv->handling_key_event = FALSE;
-
   return retval;
 }