diff --git a/src/d_clisrv.c b/src/d_clisrv.c
index 574cce7ab..841b7d8c6 100644
--- a/src/d_clisrv.c
+++ b/src/d_clisrv.c
@@ -1561,8 +1561,6 @@ static void CL_LoadReceivedSavegame(void)
 	automapactive = false;
 
 	// load a base level
-	playerdeadview = false;
-
 	if (P_LoadNetGame())
 	{
 		const INT32 actnum = mapheaderinfo[gamemap-1]->actnum;
diff --git a/src/d_main.c b/src/d_main.c
index 63f6bd02c..c534daf4c 100644
--- a/src/d_main.c
+++ b/src/d_main.c
@@ -720,7 +720,6 @@ void D_StartTitle(void)
 	maptol = 0;
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	displayplayer = consoleplayer = 0;
 	//demosequence = -1;
 	gametype = GT_COOP;
diff --git a/src/f_finale.c b/src/f_finale.c
index 167fdd880..c78db4df0 100644
--- a/src/f_finale.c
+++ b/src/f_finale.c
@@ -434,7 +434,6 @@ void F_StartIntro(void)
 
 	G_SetGamestate(GS_INTRO);
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1125,7 +1124,6 @@ void F_StartCredits(void)
 	}
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1272,7 +1270,6 @@ void F_StartGameEvaluation(void)
 		G_SaveGame((UINT32)cursaveslot);
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1383,7 +1380,6 @@ void F_StartGameEnd(void)
 	G_SetGamestate(GS_GAMEEND);
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1586,7 +1582,6 @@ void F_StartContinue(void)
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
 
 	keypressed = false;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1755,7 +1750,6 @@ void F_StartCustomCutscene(INT32 cutscenenum, boolean precutscene, boolean reset
 	G_SetGamestate(GS_CUTSCENE);
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 
diff --git a/src/g_game.c b/src/g_game.c
index 5e04af496..8865462cd 100644
--- a/src/g_game.c
+++ b/src/g_game.c
@@ -3625,7 +3625,6 @@ void G_InitNew(UINT8 pultmode, const char *mapname, boolean resetplayer, boolean
 	mapmusflags |= MUSIC_RELOADRESET;
 
 	ultimatemode = pultmode;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	automapactive = false;
 	imcontinuing = false;
 
diff --git a/src/hu_stuff.h b/src/hu_stuff.h
index 7b22f33f1..5356ba8ac 100644
--- a/src/hu_stuff.h
+++ b/src/hu_stuff.h
@@ -78,9 +78,6 @@ extern boolean chat_on;
 // set true whenever the tab rankings are being shown for any reason
 extern boolean hu_showscores;
 
-// P_DeathThink sets this true to show scores while dead, in multiplayer
-extern boolean playerdeadview;
-
 // init heads up data at game startup.
 void HU_Init(void);
 
diff --git a/src/p_user.c b/src/p_user.c
index 905c3be62..2f7ba7949 100644
--- a/src/p_user.c
+++ b/src/p_user.c
@@ -8875,8 +8875,6 @@ void P_DoPityCheck(player_t *player)
 // P_PlayerThink
 //
 
-boolean playerdeadview; // show match/chaos/tag/capture the flag rankings while in death view
-
 void P_PlayerThink(player_t *player)
 {
 	ticcmd_t *cmd;
@@ -9068,10 +9066,6 @@ void P_PlayerThink(player_t *player)
 	if (player->playerstate == PST_DEAD)
 	{
 		player->mo->flags2 &= ~MF2_SHADOW;
-		// show the multiplayer rankings while dead
-		if (player == &players[displayplayer])
-			playerdeadview = true;
-
 		P_DeathThink(player);
 
 		return;
@@ -9092,9 +9086,6 @@ void P_PlayerThink(player_t *player)
 		player->lives = cv_startinglives.value;
 	}
 
-	if (player == &players[displayplayer])
-		playerdeadview = false;
-
 	if ((gametype == GT_RACE || gametype == GT_COMPETITION) && leveltime < 4*TICRATE)
 	{
 		cmd->buttons &= BT_USE; // Remove all buttons except BT_USE