diff --git a/src/core/delete.c b/src/core/delete.c
index 040305638..d72f8f052 100644
--- a/src/core/delete.c
+++ b/src/core/delete.c
@@ -160,12 +160,7 @@ void
 meta_window_set_alive (MetaWindow *window,
                        gboolean    is_alive)
 {
-  if (window->is_alive == is_alive)
-    return;
-
-  window->is_alive = is_alive;
-
-  if (window->is_alive)
+  if (is_alive)
     kill_delete_dialog (window);
   else
     show_delete_dialog (window, CurrentTime);
diff --git a/src/core/window-private.h b/src/core/window-private.h
index 136635c0d..9487dbf64 100644
--- a/src/core/window-private.h
+++ b/src/core/window-private.h
@@ -434,7 +434,6 @@ struct _MetaWindow
 
   /* Managed by delete.c */
   int dialog_pid;
-  guint is_alive : 1;
 
   /* maintained by group.c */
   MetaGroup *group;