diff --git a/lib/bb/data_smart.py b/lib/bb/data_smart.py
index 0523744de..fe4c50740 100644
--- a/lib/bb/data_smart.py
+++ b/lib/bb/data_smart.py
@@ -539,15 +539,6 @@ class DataSmart(MutableMapping):
         return var in self.overridedata
 
     def setVar(self, var, value, **loginfo):
-        if not var.startswith("__anon_") and ("_append" in var or "_prepend" in var or "_remove" in var):
-            if re.search(r"(_append|_prepend|_remove)(_|$)", var) is not None:
-                info = "%s" % var
-                if "file" in loginfo:
-                    info += " file: %s" % loginfo["file"]
-                if "line" in loginfo:
-                    info += " line: %s" % loginfo["line"]
-                bb.fatal("Variable %s contains an operation using the old override syntax. Please convert this layer/metadata before attempting to use with a newer bitbake." % info)
-
         shortvar = var.split(":", 1)[0]
         if shortvar in self._var_renames:
             _print_rename_error(shortvar, loginfo, self._var_renames, fullvar=var)
diff --git a/lib/bb/tests/parse.py b/lib/bb/tests/parse.py
index 2da3a2a22..6832952f8 100644
--- a/lib/bb/tests/parse.py
+++ b/lib/bb/tests/parse.py
@@ -132,41 +132,6 @@ DESCRIPTION:${PN}-dev = "${DESCRIPTION} B"
 PN = "bc"
 """
 
-    override_old_append = """
-EXTRA_OECONF_append = " c"
-"""
-
-    def test_parse_old_override_syntax_append(self):
-        f = self.parsehelper(self.override_old_append)
-        try:
-            bb.parse.handle(f.name, self.d)['']
-            self.fail('Pattern should have raised bb.BBHandledException')
-        except bb.BBHandledException:
-            pass
-
-    override_old_prepend = """
-EXTRA_OECONF_prepend = " c"
-"""
-
-    def test_parse_old_override_syntax_prepend(self):
-        f = self.parsehelper(self.override_old_prepend)
-        try:
-            bb.parse.handle(f.name, self.d)['']
-            self.fail('Pattern should have raised bb.BBHandledException')
-        except bb.BBHandledException:
-            pass
-
-    override_old_remove = """
-EXTRA_OECONF_remove = " c"
-"""
-
-    def test_parse_old_override_syntax_remove(self):
-        f = self.parsehelper(self.override_old_remove)
-        try:
-            bb.parse.handle(f.name, self.d)['']
-            self.fail('Pattern should have raised bb.BBHandledException')
-        except bb.BBHandledException:
-            pass
 
     override_old_valid_append = """
 do_appendsomething () {