diff --git a/beets/config_default.yaml b/beets/config_default.yaml
index 3490370e0..b42594f87 100644
--- a/beets/config_default.yaml
+++ b/beets/config_default.yaml
@@ -98,5 +98,3 @@ match:
     ignored: []
     track_length_grace: 10
     track_length_max: 30
-
-dont_write_if_unchanged: no
diff --git a/beets/ui/commands.py b/beets/ui/commands.py
index 5a0826c61..498935324 100644
--- a/beets/ui/commands.py
+++ b/beets/ui/commands.py
@@ -1180,16 +1180,14 @@ def modify_items(lib, mods, query, write, move, album, confirm):
     if write:
         if album:
             for a in albums:
-                if config['dont_write_if_unchanged'].get(bool) and \
-                        a in unchanged:
+                if a in unchanged:
                     continue
                 for item in a.items():
                     item.write()
 
         else:
             for item in items:
-                if config['dont_write_if_unchanged'].get(bool) and \
-                        item in unchanged:
+                if item in unchanged:
                     continue
                 item.write()