diff --git a/src/cmd/5g/gsubr.c b/src/cmd/5g/gsubr.c
index 7f20b4c7df..2d92184613 100644
--- a/src/cmd/5g/gsubr.c
+++ b/src/cmd/5g/gsubr.c
@@ -109,8 +109,6 @@ unpatch(Prog *p)
 
 	if(p->to.type != D_BRANCH)
 		fatal("unpatch: not a branch");
-	if(p->to.branch == P)
-		fatal("unpatch: not patched");
 	q = p->to.branch;
 	p->to.branch = P;
 	p->to.offset = 0;
diff --git a/src/cmd/8g/gsubr.c b/src/cmd/8g/gsubr.c
index be306ed922..a35c81eb10 100644
--- a/src/cmd/8g/gsubr.c
+++ b/src/cmd/8g/gsubr.c
@@ -107,8 +107,6 @@ unpatch(Prog *p)
 
 	if(p->to.type != D_BRANCH)
 		fatal("unpatch: not a branch");
-	if(p->to.branch == P)
-		fatal("unpatch: not patched");
 	q = p->to.branch;
 	p->to.branch = P;
 	p->to.offset = 0;