diff --git a/src/d_clisrv.c b/src/d_clisrv.c
index 6e22dde23..950038237 100644
--- a/src/d_clisrv.c
+++ b/src/d_clisrv.c
@@ -1568,8 +1568,6 @@ 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 df3398752..f807e3070 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 a8b27bb80..fb1387c11 100644
--- a/src/f_finale.c
+++ b/src/f_finale.c
@@ -442,7 +442,6 @@ void F_StartIntro(void)
 
 	G_SetGamestate(GS_INTRO);
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1130,7 +1129,6 @@ void F_StartCredits(void)
 	}
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1277,7 +1275,6 @@ void F_StartGameEvaluation(void)
 		G_SaveGame((UINT32)cursaveslot);
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1388,7 +1385,6 @@ void F_StartGameEnd(void)
 	G_SetGamestate(GS_GAMEEND);
 
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1591,7 +1587,6 @@ void F_StartContinue(void)
 	gameaction = ga_nothing;
 
 	keypressed = false;
-	playerdeadview = false;
 	paused = false;
 	CON_ToggleOff();
 	CON_ClearHUD();
@@ -1760,7 +1755,6 @@ 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 4f1c49b42..0e8c14f6a 100644
--- a/src/g_game.c
+++ b/src/g_game.c
@@ -3616,7 +3616,6 @@ 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 7abf85347..7e206930d 100644
--- a/src/p_user.c
+++ b/src/p_user.c
@@ -8648,8 +8648,6 @@ 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;
@@ -8838,10 +8836,6 @@ 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;
@@ -8862,9 +8856,6 @@ 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