diff --git a/src/xdisp.c b/src/xdisp.c
index f9a10267bad..18834c6b781 100644
--- a/src/xdisp.c
+++ b/src/xdisp.c
@@ -15155,8 +15155,6 @@ note_tab_bar_highlight (struct frame *f, int x, int y)
   help_echo_object = help_echo_window = Qnil;
   help_echo_pos = -1;
   help_echo_string = AREF (f->tab_bar_items, prop_idx + TAB_BAR_ITEM_HELP);
-  if (NILP (help_echo_string))
-    help_echo_string = AREF (f->tab_bar_items, prop_idx + TAB_BAR_ITEM_CAPTION);
 }
 
 #endif /* HAVE_WINDOW_SYSTEM */